Reverend Paul Feeley, O.Carm., a member of the Order of Carmelites of the North American Province of St. Elias, died at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, New York on Monday, May 30, 2022 following a brief illness. He was 93 years old.
Father Paul was born in New York City, NY on November 23, 1928 to Matthew and Marion Shea Feeley. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers John and Matthew as well as his sister Marion.
In 1946 he was accepted as a novice in the Order of Carmelites, North American Province of St. Elias. He professed First Vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity on September 8, 1947 and his Solemn Vows on September 8, 1950 at Mount Carmel in Auburn, NY. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 5, 1953 in Rome, Italy.
Father Paul studied philosophy and theology in Rome, Italy following his Solemn Profession, earning his degree in 1954. He took summer classes at Fordham University in New York City from 1955-59 while residing and teaching at St. Albert’s Junior Seminary in Middletown, NY and serving as the Master of Mariani. In 1958 he was transferred to Mount Carmel in Williamstown, MA where he taught the novices until 1959. Father Paul answered the call to become a missionary in 1959, relocating to Rhodesia (now called Zimbabwe) Africa until 1971 and then in Kenya until 1973. He was brought back to the United States to serve at Our Lady of the Scapular Parish, 28th Street in New York City as its Pastor from 1973-80. He returned to Zimbabwe in 1981 as a missionary serving until 1987.
He began living the eremitical lifestyle in 1987 after moving to the International Carmelite Hermitage where he lived in community until 1989, then in the Mount Carmel Hermitage in Williamstown MA for the next year before settling in the Carmelite Hermitage in Villefranche, France until 2009. He then retired to the United States and served as the Prior of the Carmelite community at St. John the Martyr Church in New York City until 2012. From August to December of 2012 Father Paul moved to the Annunciation Hermitage in Austin, MN, serving as the Novice Master. In January 2012 he came back to St. Albert’s Priory in Middletown NY to continue his retirement and assisted in ministry at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Over the years Father Paul was active in Provincial matters having served on the Pastoral Commission, the Provincial Preparatory Commission and the Provincial Council. While in Africa he was involved in Diocesan work as a member of the Priest Senate in Umtali and the National Council of Priests in Zimbabwe. From 1973 to 1980 he served as the dean of the East Midtown area of the Archdiocese of New York. Besides English, he was proficient in four languages: Spanish, Italian, Shona and French.
He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A dedicated, faithful and hard-working Carmelite, Father Paul Feeley, O.Carm. was a professed member of the Carmelite Order for 75 years and a priest for 68 years. He will be greatly missed.
VISITATION
Friday, June 10, 2022
9:00AM to 11:00AM
followed by
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
11:00AM
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
70 Carmelite Drive
Middletown, New York 10940-0890
(845) 343-1879
INTERMENT
Carmelite Cemetery, Middletown, New York
In lieu of flowers, donations in Father Paul Feeley’s memory may be made to the Carmelite Education Fund, and mailed to:
P.O. Box 868, Carmelite Drive, Middletown, New York 10940
Arrangements are under the direction of:
Applebee McPhillips Funeral Home
130 Highland Avenue
Middletown, New York, 10940
(845) 343-6309
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