Jay Bryant Feeley

Jay Bryant Feeley, 51, of Brownington, VT, the beloved husband of Rachel (Comtois) Feeley passed away on May 18, 2009 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH; after suffering from a long battle with Diabetes.

He was born on June 1, 1957 in St. Albans, VT; a son of Gerald and Gala (Foster) Feeley. He grew up in Highgate Center and attended Missisquoi Valley Union High School in 1975. On September 1, 2001 he married Rachel Comtois who survives him. Jay was first involved with Feeley Well Drilling, a family business since 1880 and for several years operated his own well drilling company. He later worked at Marcelino Inc. Co. in Burlington as a Hydraulic mechanic and most recently worked at the Calkins Sand and Gravel as a heavy equipment mechanic and “The Tinker Man” at Nature-By-Design. Jay was a member of the Brownington Congregational Church. He enjoyed tinkering on motors, spending time with his animals and family. Jay liked creating with his hands using stone and wood.

Jay is survived by his wife and soul mate Rachel Feeley of Brownington, his six children; Angela of Highgate, Michael of Sheldon, Justin of Fairfield, Ryan and his companion Stacy Laroche of Belvidere, Ashleigh Feeley of Fairfield, and Paige Airoldi and her husband Anthony of Highgate. Three grandchildren Kohle, Natalie, and Broadie, two brothers Dennis Feeley and his companion Cathy of Swanton, Randy Feeley and his wife Candy of Highgate, two sisters Jerri Brouillette and her husband David of Sheldon and Julie Ladue and her husband Phillip of Highgate, mother-in-law Julie Comtois of Dracut, MA, a brother-in-law Kenney Comtois of Goldsboro, NC, and a sister-in-law Laurie Hopkins and her husband Edric of Nashua, NH, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles, and his animal children Sophia-Mae, Zu-Zu Petals, Isabella, Miss Vivian, his sheep, goats, and assorted cats, Jay was predeceased by his parents Gerald Feeley and Gala (Feeley) Barnum, step-father Burhl Barnum, a nephew Jason Brouillette, and his father-in-law Raymond Comtois.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday May 24, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Brownington Congregational Church with the Rev. Harvey Bartlet and Rev. Herb Perry officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Frontier Animal Society of VT, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, VT 05855.

On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes, locally family owned and operated.