In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite Dave Feeney, 84

Longtime Rumsonite David Wesley Feeney passed away peacefully on April 9, Easter Sunday, surrounded by family. He was 84.

Dave Feeney
Photo/family via Thompson Memorial Home

“Dave’s first passion was his family, his second was practicing law. Other interests included fishing, smoking cigars, playing darts, going to Monmouth Park, watching a good New York Yankees game and spending time laughing with the other members of the infamous ‘Pocono Dopes.’ He’s with them now. Have fun guys!”
Loved ones of Dave Feeney in his obituary

Known as a student-athlete in his youth, Dave, a football player, attended Asbury Park High School where he was a leading member of a state champion team and was named First Team All-American. It was in high school that he met cheerleader Betsy Shamel, the “love of his life” who became his wife.

After graduating from high school, Dave was recruited by many top college football programs. He committed to playing football for Cornell University, because it was located within 20 miles of Elmira College, where his future wife had planned to continue her education.

“Dave was an offensive guard, linebacker, and three-year varsity letterman in football (1957-59) at Cornell. He was selected as an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press in his final season while playing offensive guard. He was also chosen as a Coaches’ All-Ivy first-team pick. The American Peoples Encyclopedia named him to its All-Ivy Scholastic first team in 1958. Dave was Captain of the Cornell Football Team and was awarded the Pop Warner Award as the team’s Most Valuable Player. Although Sports Illustrated featured him as ‘one to watch,’ he believed his greatest accomplishment was marrying Betsy in the summer between his junior and his senior years at Cornell.”

Dave earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell in 1960. He went on to law school from 1960 to 1963 and graduated with distinction, first in his class, from Cornell Law School with an LL.B.

Upon graduating from law school, Dave was hired by Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, an established 230-year Wall Street law firm. However, before embarking on a long and successful legal career Dave spent the next two years (1963-1965) proudly fulfilling his duty to ROTC and his country by serving as a Military Police Officer (MP) in the Army.

Dave was very proud of his military service and, among other things, provided security services and an escort for United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy during his visit to the Brooklyn Dockyards. For his service as an MP assigned to the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Dave received multiple commendations of excellence. Before receiving his honorable discharge from the Army,

In 1971 Dave became a partner at Cadwalader, where he was chairman of the Tax Department for many years. As a Cadwalader partner, Dave represented various clients, including foreign countries and large corporations seeking tax advice and counseling in complicated international and national transactions. Tax controversies, including audits, appeals, and litigation with significant tax implications, were a major part of his law practice.

“Dave rose to become a senior partner and head of the tax department at Cadwalader because of his brilliant mind, work ethic, tenacity, integrity, and honesty. Although he was never one to mention it, he had a perfect memory and recalled facts and events from far in the past.

“Dave’s client list included Fortune 500 CEOs as well as leaders around the world (including an Arabian Prince), who respected this brilliant man and the ferocity with which he battled to protect their rights and ensure that legal determinations made by the courts and administrative agencies of the United States were just and fair.

“Though his academic, athletic, and professional accomplishments were many, his most incredible pride and joy came from being Betsy’s husband, dad, grandad, and great-grandad. He loved his family beyond measure and protected and supported those he loved with strength, compassion and wisdom.“
Dave Feeney’s family in his obituary

He is survived by: his wife, Elizabeth Feeney; his four children, Shawn Takacs, Shari Feeney, David Feeney II, and Darryl Feeney and wife Karen Feeney; his grandchildren, Ashley Levy and husband Michael, Kristia Talcott and husband Tyler, Kara Scott and husband Levi, David Feeney III, Stephen Feeney; and great-grandchildren, Kiera, Leah, Silas, and Sawyer Scott, Charlotte, and Oliver Levy, and Austin Talcott.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Memorial Home