John Francis "Jack" Feeney

John Francis
"Jack" Feeney

The family of John Francis "Jack" Feeney said goodbye to him on May 29 when he died at home after a long, rewarding life. He was 90 years old. Born in San Bernadino in 1922, Feeney grew up in Ontario, California, and attended Chaffey College. After serving a three and a half year stint in the Army Air Force Band, he attended Pomona College where met his future wife, Carol. He received his B.A. from Pomona College and an M.A. from Claremont Graduate School in 1950. He began teaching at Chaffey College in 1947 where he was the popular conductor of the Chaffey College Orchestra and famous for his musical theatre productions. Feeney moved to Long Beach in 1958 where he taught music history at Cerritos College until his retirement in 1986. Trained from childhood as a violinist, Feeney combined teaching with ongoing participation in the world of professional music. He was a member of the Long Beach Symphony, Bellflower Symphony, Cypress Symphony, and the El Camino Symphony. He was also a member of the Long Beach Camerata in the 1960s and early 1970s. In more recent years he was a faithful member of the Long Beach City College Orchestra. He is survived by his wife, Carol, his children Martin Feeney and Kendall Feeney and her husband Tony Flinn, his grandson Evan Feeney, Evan's mother Siri Weber Feeney, and his sister-in-law, Cecily McEuen. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his warmth, humor, and kindness. He was hard working, disciplined and found great joy in his teaching and performing. He loved books, movies, traveling, and baseball to name just a few of his many interests. He had a great laugh and often had to take off his glasses because he was laughing so hard! We would understand how funny a moment was, if someone in the family told us that Jack "had to take off his glasses." We say good-bye knowing how much he is still a part of us and how grateful we are that he is. Please sign the guestbook
at www.presstelegram.com/obits.