Thomas P. "Tom" Feighery

Thomas P. Feighery, affectionately known as Tom, age 90, of Katonah, NY, formerly of Carmel, NY, passed away on February 15, 2025. He was born on January 31, 1935, in Manhattan, NY, son of the late Jack and Catherine (Ryan) Feighery. Tom's life was a testament to the power of faith, the strength of family, the honor of service, and the joy of community.
Tom was raised in the Highbridge section of the Bronx in an Irish Catholic family with siblings Billy, John (Puddy), Francis, Ellen and Kevin. His parents Jack and Kitty emigrated from County Offaly and County Tipperary, respectively, and he grew up with a strong attachment to Ireland and a love of all things Irish. Tom was surrounded by a large and loving extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins, and spent most weekends at Gaelic Park playing Gaelic football and hurling, both of which he excelled at. His stories about the Bronx were vivid, and he delighted in telling his children and grandchildren about the adventures he had playing stickball in the street with friends like Monkey Reilly and Bunny Rabbit, seeing baseball games at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds, delivering groceries for a local deli, and swimming in the East River while trying to avoid the sewage. He had a deep and abiding love for the Bronx. If you named a neighborhood, he could tell you the parish, and he could navigate it with his eyes closed.
Tom attended Manhattan Prep High School and then went on to join the United States Marine Corp. He was very proud of his service as a marine and the Semper Fi (Always Faithful) motto fit him to a tee. After his military service, Tom took on many jobs, working as a laborer, a New York City taxi driver and a bartender. For a number of years he was a firefighter with Engine Company 95 in the Inwood section of Manhattan. He was a member of the carpenter's union and throughout his life, amidst his jobs helping to construct malls and other structures, helped build, renovate and carpet countless rooms for his children.
He met the love of his life, Nancy (Drumm), at Gaelic Park, where he was playing and she was enjoying the games. She was recently arrived from County Offaly. On July 30, 1960, they married at St. John's Church in the Bronx and held their reception at the hall in Gaelic Park. Their union was blessed with nine children and their early life together included stays in the Bronx, Yonkers and Long Beach. They spent the 1970s in Ireland, in Nancy's hometown of Tullamore, before returning in 1979 to finally settle in Carmel, NY where they lived for nearly 30 years. Many in the community knew Tom as the owner of Fiddler's Green Pub. The pub was more than a business to Tom; it was a place where friends and strangers alike could gather to celebrate Irish heritage and the warmth of friendship. Tom loved a good party, a drink with friends, and a singalong of Irish songs (with a sprinkle of John Denver and Neil Diamond thrown in). He and Nancy built the pub into a beloved local landmark.
Tom had a special relationship with the Sisters of Charity in the Bronx, and gathered and delivered donations to them over the course of many years. He also spent years as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society, driving patients to their treatments. When people were at their worst, he was at his best, and he always reached out to comfort someone when they were in pain.
Tom spent the last years of his life in Katonah, NY, where his favorite thing to do was to tinker outside in his yard. He planted fake flowers in his flower boxes (because they would never die), painted the rocks outside white (because who liked the color grey?), filled his yard with dozens of lawn ornaments from the Christmas Tree Shop, and painted birdhouses that he was convinced could be sold for a lot of money.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Feighery; his loving children, Billy (Julie), Timmy (Sarah), Chrissy (Pat), Nancy Ellen (Kevin), Tommy (Melissa), Tricia (Jerry), Kathy (Matt), Kevin (Krissy), and Jenny (Phil); his cherished grandchildren, Jack, Jimmy, Sara, Danny, Molly, Aisling, Maggie, Hannah, Caity, Finn, Catherine, Cara, Teddy, Luke, Jack, Packie, Anne, Lilly, Molly, Maeve, Tess, Aoife, Stephen, Christopher, and Tadgh; and his treasured great-granddaughter, Frankie. He also leaves behind his brothers Puddy (Grace) and Kevin (Sharon), and dear nieces and nephews.
Tom was predeceased by his brothers Billy and Francis, and his beloved sister Ellen. His brother Puddy was a particular comfort to him in recent years, and he loved chatting with him about the old days and solving the world's problems together.
Tom loved his children but the greatest gift he ever received was his 25 beloved grandchildren and his great-grandchild Frankie. The most important thing to him was that he be remembered as a good husband and a loving grandfather. Nancy was his shelter from the storm, and he adored her. His grandchildren brought him so much joy and he delighted in everything about them. He spent years of his life traveling all around the country to see countless sporting events, performances, First Holy Communions, Confirmations and graduations. He looked forward to their visits and liked to chastise his children for chastising his grandchildren. He had a special relationship with each and every one of them and made them all feel very loved. Above all, Tom was a devout Catholic whose faith brought him great comfort, and he could be heard whispering the Rosary into his final days. His family is brokenhearted at the loss of him but so grateful to God for all of the wonderful years he gave him.
In lieu of flowers, donations can made in Tom's name to the .
A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Cargain Funeral Home, 418 Route 6 (GPS 418 US-6), Mahopac, NY 10541.
Mass of Christian Burial to honor and celebrate Tom's life will take place 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at St. James the Apostle Church, 14 Gleneida Ave, Carmel, NY 10512.
Interment to follow in Raymond Hill Cemetery, Carmel, NY where he will receive United States Marine Military Honors.
ZOOM Information:
If you are unable to attend in person, you can join via ZOOM by following the link below.
Mass of Christian Burial to honor and celebrate the life of Thomas P. Feighery
Time: Feb 19, 2025 09:45 AM
Join ZOOM Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88278864709?pwd=wSWjdrl2rbVa6Buz6jrMQT7Tc1TyzO.1
Meeting ID: 882 7886 4709
Passcode: CARGAIN
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc., 418 Route 6, Mahopac, NY 10541, 845-628-5655, .
We at Cargain Funeral Homes, Inc. are deeply committed to responsibly responding to the health, well-being, and needs of the families, guests and communities we are privileged to serve.