Tom Feehery

August 18, 1926

February 17, 2013

Celebrating a Well-lived Life

Tom Feehery was an inspiration to all who knew him. He was born in Chicago on August 18, 1926 to Leo Thomas and Bertha Feehery. He grew up on the city’s south side with his sisters Jane and Betty, his brother Dick, and his two aunts, Minnie and Josephine Feehery. Tom's life changed forever at the age of 10 when he was stricken with polio on Thanksgiving Day. During the next 3 years of hospital stays and surgeries he cheated death repeatedly, receiving the last rites of the church four times, only to amaze the doctors. He and the Lord had different plans. The polio may have slowed him down, but a strong will, tenacity and a firmly grounded faith drove him in everything he did. He graduated from Gompers High School at age 16, then went on to earn his BS in Mechanical Engineering at age 19 from Illinois Institute of Technology.

Tom's life changed again when he and his mother, dad and brother moved to Tucson, Arizona in search of a better climate and for his pursuit of work in a new industry called air conditioning. There, singing in the choir at Sts. Peter and Paul church, he met his soul mate, Joan Howell, who had come to Tucson to pursue her dreams. They married on August 19, 1950 and for the next 62 years worked to leave a legacy and make the world a better place. In 1951 Tom and Joan, along with their infant son Leo Thomas III (Tom), moved to Houston to pursue his career. They were blessed with 9 more children: Paul, Peter, Margaret (Peggy) Shomate, Mary Halbleib, Michael, Matthew, Timothy, Virginia (Ginger) Shunka and Dorothy. They also have 22 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Tom’s greatest challenge was the loss of Peggy in her prime of life. He handled it with the same grace, class, and strength that characterized his life in this world.

Tom put heart and soul into everything he did. He was a solutions man, making a career as a problem-solver. As a mechanical engineer, he and his fellow A/C engineers made Houston, its homes, schools, churches, hospitals and high-rise buildings, a much cooler and more comfortable place to live. He was a big part of the innovation and development of the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration industry. Two of his proudest professional achievements included designing the life support system for a submersible deep water diving bell and researching heat pipes for the Alaska Pipeline project.

Tom had many interests. He was often heard saying "can't, never, could" and even though he had "two bum legs", as he put it, it did not stop his love of fishing or aviation (he learned to fly a plane just because he was told he couldn't). Climbing a ladder or stairs was challenging, as was working on the car or repairing things around the house. He did it all, whatever it took, and without complaint.

His wife, family and friends, and faith were what he valued most in life. He loved children and would seize any opportunity to teach them. He was generous with his time and talents. "Better to give than receive" was his way of life; he never had the "what's in it for me" attitude that plagues the world today. Tom loved his country and the Catholic Church. He also loved classical music and singing in the choir. During his active years as a parishioner of Our Lady of Walsingham he greatly enjoyed his role as the unofficial historian and photo journalist for the building of their new church. In his retirement years Tom also taught Shakespeare and physics classes for students in the church’s Holy House program. He was a founding member of that congregation's Knights of Columbus Council.

Tom had a positive impact on all his children and on many people from all walks of life. He never complained about his handicap or the pain he lived with on a daily basis. Comments from friends, family, and people he met and worked with often reflected these sentiments: “Tom taught me a lot about the important things in life," or "He was hard on me but always fair.” Indeed, Tom knew a lot about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and he lived it well.

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at Earthman Resthaven Chapel with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at Our Lady of Walsingham Catholic Church, 7809 Shadyvilla Lane, Houston, Texas. Rite of Committal will follow at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery.