James Feneley, 76, pilot and Marine

Captain Jim Feneley of Clearwater, Fla., a former military and airline pilot, died Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Mease Countryside Hospital. He was 76 years old and had lived in Ridgefield from 1963 until 1986.
Mr. Feneley, who was known as “Captain Jim” to his friends, was born in Cambridge, Mass., on April 29, 1927, a son of Sue Sinclair Feneley and James Feneley. He married Hilda Nelson in Whidby Island, Wash.
Captain Feneley was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, serving in both the United States Navy and Marine Corps. His service duties ranged from musician to reconnaissance pilot, and he was stationed in California, Hawaii, Japan, Washington and Pensacola, Fla., where he was a flight instructor of naval aviators.
He worked for United Airlines for 34 years. He was a captain of Boeing 727 and McDonnell Douglas DC 10 equipment, was a union council chair, and, according to his family, was “recognized systemwide for his good humor and poise to passengers, crew, union members, and management alike.”
Captain Feneley was an active member of both Ridgefield and Clearwater Marine Corps leagues and Clearwater VFW Post 2473. He was a longstanding member of the Retired United Pilots Association (RUPA) and past commander of the Sons of the Confederacy and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Ridgefield.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Hilda Feneley of Clearwater; sons and daughters-in-law Craig and Mary Feneley of Herndon, Va., and Scott and Donna Feneley of Monroe; grandchildren, Michael and Jack Feneley of Herndon; Laura and Ryan Feneley of Monroe; a sister and brother-in-law Lillian Feneley Cooley and Duane Cooley of Fairfax, Va.
A son, James Nelson Feneley, died in 1974.
Memorial services will be take place Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Ridgefield. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the Marine Corps League headquarters on Halpin Lane Saturday at 4 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Office of Donor Services, 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605.