Michael Burke Feeney
Augist 11, 1953 - January 5, 2017
Writer, editor and producer Michael B. Feeney died peacefully in Santa Monica on January 5 surrounded by his family and wife/life partner of more than 34 years Juanita Diana Feeney. He was 63 and passed away from complications due to cancer.
A second generation San Franciscan and the youngest son of Thomas E. Feeney and Lucille May Feeney, Mike graduated from St. Ignatius High School, where he played varsity football, and the University of California Davis. In 1980, he began his lifelong career in television and video production in San Francisco at Videowest where he produced the series Take-Off for the USA Network, music news and lifestyle programming.
He co-founded Video Caroline with his future wife Juanita, where he produced music videos for The Call with Michael Been, Jefferson Starship, The Greg Kihn Band and other Bay Area bands. He later moved to Los Angeles and worked as freelance editor at New World Pictures, Hammer Creative and Live Entertainment. He also wrote numerous scripts for film and television.
Mike was an expert conspiracy theorist, believer in extraterrestrial life, wonderful husband and dedicated dog parent. He advocated throughout his life for those less fortunate and for the planet as both an eco-activist and vegetarian for more than 25 years. His sense of humor, intellect and unfailing generosity will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his wife of 15 years, and life partner for more than 34 years, Juanita Diana Feeney, a producer and television post-production executive; sisters Kathie Teter (Harry) of Washington D.C., Sheila Bannan (Jerry) of Los Gatos, Teresa Dugan (Paul) of Napa, Patricia Gallagher (John) of San Francisco and brothers Tom Feeney (Andrea) of San Francisco and John Feeney (Pam) of Rocklin. He was adored by all of his many nieces and nephews whom he thoroughly entertained at Christmas time in his role as Santa Claus.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Mike be made to the Amanda Foundation (310-550-0101; amandafoundation.org), a Los Angeles animal rescue group from which Mike and Juanita adopted their beloved Bennie.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Jan. 29 in Marina Del Rey. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma.