Long-term Honorary Band President Tom Feeney sadly passes away

Tom Feeney sadly passed away on Friday the 5th December 2014.

In 2013, as part of a Galway Film Centre project, a film which registered the history of the band was catalogued. The band were lucky enough to record moments from Tom's life in which he spoke of the band he had given so much to, and the relationships that meant so much to him. One memorable highlight from the film was the visit of President Michael D. Higgins to his home.

The film was screened in the Town Hall in November 2013 and at the Galway Film Fleadh in July 2014.

Following his passing, the Band organised a special memorial concert in the Bandroom in July 2015 which was attended by President Higgins and the Mayor of Galway Frank Fahy.

The following are two sets of notes collated by band members to memorialize Tom's life and contributions to the band

Tom FEENEY late of Coole Park, Bohermore, formerly of St. Patrick's Avenue, Galway City, Galway

Date of Death: Friday 5th December 2014
Can I offer condolences on behalf of St. Patrick’s Band to Tom Feeney’s family and in particular to Austin, Ger, Andrew, Eugene, Madeline, Laura and Rose. By the way I’d like to thank our Band today led by Michael Dooley, Bandmaster and Stan O’Grady, Chairman.

What can be said about Tom? As he said himself he had a great life. Musically he was a valued member of our band. He became a great ambassador for the band and of course was Our Honorary Life President following in the footsteps of the great Michael Mitchell. Tom emigrated to England and joined the RAF Band. He played the horn, incidentally sharing a stand with the great horn player Denis Brain. He was known, surprise suprise as Paddy in the RAF band. He was noted for securing cigarettes for players and was able to get around officialdom particularly when the band was in Germany.

When Tom returned to Galway, as I understand he had to wait for an instrument when he joined St. Patrick’s Band that had been reformed in the 1960s. Tom became one of the great members and he played the euphonium and trombone. He organised hops in the Bandroom and he even lost a job over his dedication and love for the band. Of course it was in front of the Band that Tom made his name becoming our drum major. He had such a pride in the presentation of the band. Full uniform meant correct shoes, ties...

When he retired from playing the band presented Tom with a new instrument - a video camera. Boy everywhere we played Tom was there with the camera. He has tons of recordings. His music collection was renowned and he entertained people such as Michael D.Higgins in his house.

Tom travelled to France and Austria with the band and to the Frogs in Holland and of course was associated with the Friendship Band. Of course he was all over Ireland particularly to the western Region Band festivals and of course meeting up with his brother Jimmy and had a great time. I could go on all day.

Our last big project was the recent Band film and of course Tom as they say played a blinder, our honorary president was the star playing host to President Michael D. Higgins. The President is in China and unable to attend his funeral but is represented by his Aide de Com.

Eithne, Tom’s late wife and the Feeney family were always great supporters of the Band.

Ar Deis Dé go raibh a anam dilis. Ní beidh a leithead aris ann.

Tom Feeney 1927-2014

Tom joined St. Patrick’s Band in the early 1960s just after it had been reformed. Tom became one of its greatest members and played the euphonium and trombone. He helped raise funds for the band by organising hops in the 60s and the Bandroom was a popular venue in Galway’s social scene as it was earlier in the century.

Tom had moved to England after the World War 2 and joined the RAF Band. He played the horn and served with that band in England and Germany. It was in front of St. Patrick’s Band that Tom made his name becoming drum major. He had such a pride in the presentation of the band and was always in full uniform.

Tom travelled to France and Austria with the band and to the Frogs Band in Holland and was associated with the Friendship Band. He marched and played all over Ireland and participated in Western Region Band festivals often meeting up with his brother Jimmy, also a great musician at those events.

He was Honorary Life President of St. Patrick’s Band following in the footsteps of Michael Mitchell another major figure of the band. His music collection was renowned and he regularly entertained a wide circle of friends such as Michael D.Higgins in his house. He had many video recordings of the band.

One last project involving Tom was the Galway Film Centre ID Film in 2013. He played host to President Michael D. Higgins and the discussion between the two presidents in that film was a highlight.

Tom’s wife Eithne predeceased him. Ar Deis Dé go raibh a anam dilis. Ní beidh a leithead aris ann.