Obituary of William J. Feely

CANISTEO/COHOCTON: William J. “Bill” Feely, 89, formerly of Canisteo and Cohocton, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening June 6, 2023 at the Cayuga Ridge Extended Care Center in Ithaca, following a brief illness. Bill was born May 23, 1934 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Walter and Florence (Burke) Feely. On May 29, 1965 in Cohocton, he married the former Bonnie M. Hunt who predeceased him in August of 2009. Bill had worked and retired as the director of purchasing for Steuben County. At one time he was the company clerk at Arlington Cemetery and had also been a purchasing agent for Gunlocke Co. in Wayland. He was on the Village Board of Trustees in Cohocton, and a member of the Cohocton Lions Club where he was a past president and treasurer. Bill was also a licensed funeral director. Bill's passion was sports, particularly baseball. He held the position of Director of the N.Y.S. Babe Ruth League for several years. He also enjoyed basketball and was a local referee for many years. Bill is survived by a son Patrick (Christine) Feely of Trumansburg, daughter Amy (Thomas) Congdon of Hammondsport, (formerly of Canisteo, NY), 5 granddaughters, Emily Congdon, Erin Congdon (Nathan Hosmer), Megan, Kaitlyn and Madison Feely. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Freda Feely of Cohocton and Bonnie Hunt of Avoca. In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was predeceased by a brother Francis Feely and brother-in-law William Hunt. At Bill’s request there will be no public calling hours. Family and friends are invited to a Mass and Christian burial Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 12:30 pm at the St. Pius Catholic Church in Cohocton. Burial will follow in St. Pius Cemetery in Cohocton. Memorial contributions in Bill’s name may be made to the Holy Family Catholic Church, 206 Fremont St., Wayland, NY 14572. Arrangements are with the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home in Canisteo.