GenealogyBuff.com - James "Jim" Patrick Feeney

Posted By: Mary.Roseville
Date: Tuesday, 12 February 2008, at 11:39 p.m.

U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014

James "Jim" Patrick Feeney
4/15/1923 - 2/6/2008

James "Jim" Patrick Feeney died in his Auburn home Wednesday evening of congestive heart failure. At his side were his wife of 59 years, Patricia O'Meara Feeney; his seven children; several grandchildren; and his 3 month old great-grandson, James A Feeney who was his namesake.
Jim, 84, was born April 15, 1923 in Chicago, Ill. He was a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He was a veteran and served stateside in the Army Air Force as an airplane mechanic, flight instructor and Gunnery Sergeant in World War II.
In 1968 Jim moved his family from Ossining N.Y. to Modesto Calif., when he accepted the position as Director of Transportation for the E.J. Gallo Winery, a position that he held for twenty years. Jim retired in 1989 on his sixty-fifth birthday.
He was referred to as "Pops" by his family and friends. He was an avid golfer and spent many hours playing golf with his buddies at Spring Creek Country Club where he and his wife were members for several years. "He was a very good dancer," said his wife, Patricia Feeney, recalling how they used to dance together.
Jim was an active member of his church, Our Lady of Fatima, where he served on numerous volunteer committees including St. Vincent De Paul's Society, The Seniors Club, and other organizations. As a devout Catholic and it is a serendipitous coincidence that he was able to receive his last blessing and ash sacramental before passing away on Ash Wednesday.
Jim and his wife moved to Auburn a little over a year ago to be closer to their family and their eldest daughter, Mary Pat Feeney, who devoted much of her time to caring for both of her parents.
James is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughters, Mary-Pat Feeney of Auburn, Therese Howell of Placerville, Calif., Melissa Gebicke of Forest Ranch, Calif.; and his sons, James and Jack Feeney of Modesto, Calif., Jerry Feeney of Yorba Linda, Calif., and Gregory Feeney of Freemont, Calif.
He is also survived by his two sisters, Paula Harrison of McHenry, Ill; and Lois Clark of Cedar Lake, Ind.; and his brother, Thomas Feeney of Las Vegas, Nev. James is preceded in death by his grandson, Jim Howell; and leaves behind 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Some of the fondest memories of Pops are large family holidays at the family home in Modesto, where he characteristically insisted on videotaping and narrating much of the festivities. Pops was also notorious for his kind, yet precise directions about how things could and should be done, including but not exclusive to loading the dishwasher, driving a car, and fixing things around the house.
Jim was instrumental in starting the Senior Club of St. Teresa of Avila and was honored with a prayer and thank you during their very first meeting on February 8, 2008. His beautiful contribution to his new church and the Feeney Family will be dearly missed.
A memorial mass will be held Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 11 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church on 11600 Atwood Rd. in Auburn, Calif., with a reception to follow in the church hall. Donations can be sent to Hospice 11795 Education Street, Suite 224, Auburn, CA 95603