J. Bernard Feehan

FEEHAN, J. Bernard J. Bernard Feehan, retired Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully on January 23rd, 2008 from prostate cancer. Bernard will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 53 years, Kay; his children, Kevin (Mona-Lee), Gregory (Lynne) of Delta, Sheila (Kerry Wiebe), Kathy (Brad Johnson) of Cincinnati, Richard (Kathaleen Quinn), Maggi of Victoria, Ted (Leslie) and nineteen grandchildren. He is survived by his sister Marie (Tom Boyle) of Sydney, B.C, and his sisters-in-law Linda Hammond and Teresa Feehan. He was predeceased by his brothers, Father Leo in 1971, Ned in 1986 and Father Grattan in 2006. Bernard was born February 11, 1929 in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. He attended St. Peter's College in Muenster Saskatchewan and graduated from St. Thomas More College University of Saskatchewan with a B.A. in 1951 and from the University of Saskatchewan with a L.L.B. in 1953. In 1954 he married Kay Hammond, his University sweetheart. Bernard practiced law in Edmonton for twenty years. He was appointed a Judge of the District Court in Northern Alberta in 1973, a Deputy of the Supreme Court of the Yukon in 1978 and from 1979 to 2003 was a Justice of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta. He was a sessional lecturer with the Faculty of Law University of Alberta for five years. He was awarded the St. Thomas More Lawyer's Guild Award of Merit in 1995. He had a passionate love of the law and brought to the court a strong sense of justice, a practical approach, and sensitivity to all people. He was elected for three terms to the Edmonton Catholic School Board and was Chairperson from October 1966 to October 1968. He wrote regularly on social issues for the "Edmontonian" and was a popular speaker. Many community agencies benefited from his participation including the United Way, City of Edmonton Parks and Recreation, the Edmonton Day Center, the Edmonton West Rotary Club and many church groups. He had a long involvement with the Naval Reserve beginning with U.N.T.D., a Lieutenant Commander and Executive Officer of H.M.C.S. Nonsuch, a Commanding Officer of the Navy League Cadets and finally as a member of the Retired Naval Officers Association. His family has been a vital and much loved part of his life and he was involved in their activities and very proud of the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He will be long remembered for his strength of character, his faith, sense of humour, optimism and generosity. The family expresses their gratitude for the thoughtfulness and support of all his friends throughout his illnesses. Friends who wish to pay their respects can do so on Monday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m. at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home 10011-114 Street. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph's Basilica 10044 113 Street on Tuesday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. Those who wish may send donations in his memory to Catholic Social Services Sign of Hope Campaign at 8815 99 Street, Edmonton T6E 3V3. Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes Downtown Chapel (780) 422-2222 Established 1908