Cranford Baseball Coach, Beloved 'Pops' Dies At 68

CRANFORD, NJ — A devoted husband, loving father, doting grandfather ("Pops"), and proud family man, Edward Feeley, 68, of Cranford, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on May 27 at Overlook Hospital in Summit.

Feeley served as both a coach and board member to the Cranford Baseball and Softball League. He was also an active runner who completed four New York City marathons and countless other local races.

Born in Brooklyn, New York on Feb. 21, 1950 to the late Emma and Edward Feeley, Feeley spent his childhood in Brooklyn before attending Manhattan College. At Manhattan, Feeley was an active member of Beta Sigma Fraternity and earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, according to his Higgins and Bonnor Funeral Home obituary.

It was there that he met the love of his life Mary (Wilson), and the couple wed in 1972. By 1977, the couple settled into Cranford, where they would spend the next 40 years embracing the tight-knit community.

Feeley was also a member of the Union County Chapter of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, an organization that honored him in 2013 with its Distinguished Service Award. He also cherished his Sunday afternoons watching sports with his close friends at the Dive.

Feeley began his professional life at PSE&G, but spent the majority of his career working for Bell Labs in Whippany and Murray Hill and then in 2005 began working at Princeton University. He also proudly held a Masters of Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

"Ed loved his family. He lived for hosting parties for his family and friends and was known for his much-loved rendition of Mack The Knife at events," according to the obituary.

Feeley is survived by his four sons: Michael (Nicole), Cranford; Kevin (Theresa), Manasquan; Eddie (Kelly), Cranford; and John, Cranford.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Ryan, Megan, Allie, Julie and Maddie, sisters Rita Grancio, Barbara Wilson, brothers-in-law, John Wilson and Jack Wilson, sisters-in-law, Jackie Wilson and Julilette Wilson, his nieces, Gina Soden (Greg), Maryellen Jochim (Dave), Meghan Foeckler (Mike) and nephews John Wilson, Philip Wilson and Brian Wilson and many first cousins whom he loved as brothers and sisters.

He was predeceased by his brothers-in-law, Jim Wilson and Bob Grancio.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed's memory to the Cranford Baseball and Softball League at PO Box 35, Cranford, NJ 07016 or Cranford Family Cares, 61 Myrtle Street, Cranford, NJ 07016.

(Image via Higgins and Bonnor Funeral Home)

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