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Francis J. Feely: Friend of 'The Far Side'

 

You always knew when Francis Jude Feely was around by his distinctive laugh, a deep and loud guffaw. An accountant at Marsh & McLennan, Mr. Feely was a huge fan of "The Far Side," and would bring cartoons applicable to members of the family at gatherings. "Every year he knew one present he was getting from me, the `Far Side' calendar," said his mother, Patricia Feely. Mr. Feely also had a talent for remembering jokes and recounting them perfectly. "Such a repertoire!" she said.

Mr. Feely, 42, grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn, where he began dating his future wife, Lori, at 16. They both went to St. Francis College, married and eventually moved to Middletown, N.Y. He made friends with a small band of commuters on Metro-North, and they had dinner once a month or so, said his father, Francis Joseph Feely. Frank and Lori Feely separated in January, but remained amicable.

"He wasn't a saint by any means," his mother said, but he was a funny, loyal friend, and was devoted to his girls, Jennifer, 19; Lauren, 16; Stephanie, 11; and Caitlin, 7.

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From "Profiles in Grief" of The New York Times