Singer. A longtime fixture of the television music and variety show "The Lawrence Welk Show," he was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, and started singing in his church choir as a boy soprano. He served in the Army during the Korean War and afterward appeared on the television programs "Talent Patrol" and "Youth Opportunity Hour" before his TV station manager sent a tape of his voice to Lawrence Welk on whose show he would become a popular member for 25 years, from 1957 until it went off the air in 1982. He was known as the show's "Irish Tenor." He had the distinction of singing for five U.S. Presidents, Pope Paul VI at the canonization of Mother Seton in 1975, and also sang in Carnegie Hall three times. His last performance was in Syracuse, New York in December. When Feeney wasn't singing, he loved to fish and golf. He kept a garden and once raised horses on his ranch at Simi Valley. Although he never smoked a day in his life, Feeney died of emphysema at a Carlsbad, California hospice facility at the age of 76. His family believes the emphysema was caused by years of performing in smoke-filled nightclubs.
Singer. A longtime fixture of the television music and variety show "The Lawrence Welk Show," he was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, and started singing in his church choir as a boy soprano. He served in the Army during the Korean War and afterward appeared on the television programs "Talent Patrol" and "Youth Opportunity Hour" before his TV station manager sent a tape of his voice to Lawrence Welk on whose show he would become a popular member for 25 years, from 1957 until it went off the air in 1982. He was known as the show's "Irish Tenor." He had the distinction of singing for five U.S. Presidents, Pope Paul VI at the canonization of Mother Seton in 1975, and also sang in Carnegie Hall three times. His last performance was in Syracuse, New York in December. When Feeney wasn't singing, he loved to fish and golf. He kept a garden and once raised horses on his ranch at Simi Valley. Although he never smoked a day in his life, Feeney died of emphysema at a Carlsbad, California hospice facility at the age of 76. His family believes the emphysema was caused by years of performing in smoke-filled nightclubs.
Bio by: Carol STEVENS
Inscription
"The Irish Tenor"
(Musical notes)
Our Dad with the Golden Voice
Beloved Husband, Father & Grandfather
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
