Brother Paul J. Feeney, CFX

Brother Paul J. Feeney, C.F.X., 92, a devoted member of the Congregation of the Brothers of St. Francis Xavier for 75 years, died peacefully on June 24.

Born in Boston on February 9, 1933, he was the son of the late John and Gertrude (Sheehan) Feeney. He was raised in Boston and graduated from Boston College High School. On September 19, 1950, he entered the congregation of the Xaverian Brothers, receiving the religious habit and the name Brother Antoninus on March 19, 1951.

Brother Feeney earned his bachelor’s degree from Catholic University of America in 1956 following studies at Xaverian College. He later completed his master’s degree at Catholic University in 1970, and pursued further graduate studies at Boston College, the University of Manchester, King’s College (UK), and the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.

His teaching ministry began at St. John’s High School in Worcester, where he served until 1961. He then held brief assignments at Keith Academy in Lowell and Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, where he was assistant principal. From 1967 to 1970, Brother Feeney worked in religious formation for the Xaverian Brothers.

He returned to Xaverian Brothers High School from 1970 to 1986 before serving at Xaverian College in Manchester, England. From 1989 to 1993, he served as Provincial for the Xaverian Brothers. He later returned to Xaverian Brothers High School and served as Director of Religious Education for Secondary Schools of the Archdiocese of Boston from 1996 to 1999. From 1998 to 2007, he was in residence at Xaverian and at St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, where he also served as editor of CFX World. In his retirement, he resided at St. John’s High School, Shrewsbury, where he was a beloved member of the community, and more recently at Xaverian House in Danvers.

Brother Feeney was a tireless advocate for peace and justice, a master teacher, a dedicated scholar, and a compassionate mentor whose influence touched generations of students, colleagues, and fellow religious. He had recently celebrated his 75th Jubilee as a Xaverian Brother, a milestone marking a lifetime of faithful service.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday at St. Richard Church in Danvers. Burial was to be in the Xaverian Brothers Cemetery in Danvers. Donations in his memory may be made to the Xaverian Brothers Retirement Fund, 4409 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21229. Arrangements are by C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors. Visit LyonsFuneral.com.