Mike was always determined to find a way to do good. Past President Fred Brandt's story of Laurel Ridge Elementary illustrates that. As Fred tells the story, Mike Feeney came to him (and a few other club members) and said that they needed to help clean up the courtyard at Laurel Ridge Elementary. So gloves and garden shears in hand, they got started. Once the courtyard was clear, Mike says, “Grab your shovels and start digging here.” When questioned, Mike said, “we need to build a pond.” Do you know how? “No but we’ll figure it out.”

As reported last week, we are sad to note that Michael J. Feeney of Dunwoody, Georgia passed away on November 21, 2019 at the age of 83.

Mike Feeney became a member of the Rotary Club of Dunwoody on February 21, 1992. He was proposed and sponsored for membership by Dunwoody Rotarian Patricia B. Burttram.

It wasn’t long before Mike went from not being just another member, but became a dedicated Rotarian. Both Mike and his wife Ann were very involved in the work of the Dunwoody club, from Fourth of July to decorating and staging auction items at the Governor's Ball to much, much more. Mike served as our club president in 1997-1998, when the RI presidential theme was “Show Rotary Cares.” At the 1998 District 6900 Conference at Jekyll Island, Georgia, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody was recognized with the Best All Around Club award.

After his year as club president, Mike served in several District 6900 leadership positions. He was selected by the District Governor to serve as an Assistant District Governor for years 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. In addition, he was selected to serve as District Community Service Chair 1998-99, District Planning Committee Member 2000-01, and the District Education and Training Chair 2001-02 and 2002-03. Mike also served two years, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003, in the leadership position of Line Trustee for the Georgia Rotary Student Program.

Mike also served as DeKalb Rotary Council Chair 2001-02. That year, under Mike’s leadership a new signature project was undertaken that involved Rotarians from all seven Rotary clubs for several months. The project was in support of Laurel Ridge Elementary School to assist the school in constructing a pond and landscaping a courtyard for an outdoor classroom. On October 20^, the Council held its first Annual Black Tie Dinner. The fundraiser was held at the Emory Conference Center featuring a first place prize of a shopping spree at Home Depot, in addition to oral and silent auctions. The event resulted in the presentation of $10,000 to Mrs. Jackie Carr, Principal, Laurel Ridge Elementary School. The club also hosted a community carnival to raise money for the project.

Mike earned two well deserved recognitions for his many years of distinguished service. He received the Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation for individual Rotarians in 1999-2000 and was recognized with the PDG Robert W. “Bob” Grant “You Are The Key” award in 2002.

Mike was born on June 6, 1936 in Kansas City. He attended the University of Notre Dame, graduated 1958 and has been a devoted Fighting Irish fan for Basketball and Football ever since. He went on to spend a 26 year career with Hallmark Cards, during which he laid roots in cities across the Midwest before settling down in Atlanta. Mike created Containers, the original organizing retail store in Atlanta, from 1984 until 2001. Upon retirement Mike resigned from the Dunwoody club on April 30, 2003 and moved to Blue Ridge, Georgia and was involved in organizing and chartering the Rotary Club of Blue Ridge (located in Rotary District 6910) in 2003 with 27 members.

We will always cherish the memory of Rotarian Michael Feeney and his 11 years of Showing Rotary Cares and living Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” in the Rotary Club of Dunwoody.

Bill Mulkey,President Emeritus