RIP Michael Feeney: 32yo Black NYC area Journalist

[Idaeo]

Former Daily News reporter Michael Feeney dead at 32


Michael J. Feeney, a former New York Daily News reporter who served as the president New York Association of Black Journalists, died Sunday of complications from a staph infection in his kidneys. He was 32.

Feeney was a wrestling fan and advocate for young black journalists seeking to break into the field, friends and family said.

He was set to start a job at CNN.com Atlanta as an entertainment reporter when he fell ill, his mother said. The station was ready to move his belongings to Atlanta but was waiting until he recovered, Reba Willis said Sunday.





I knew him during college. Was a good guy, started working with Associated Press then NY daily news right out of college.

This is really sad. RIP Feeney

 

[KingCairo]

Rip to the brother , was he getting medial treatment ?

 

[Pacni99a12]

RIP

 

[The BasedFather]

Staph infection in kidney? How'd that happen?

RIP

 

[Idaeo]

I don't know any details. I haven't spoken to him in over six years.

 

[Mac Brown]

poor dude... RIP

thats sad man.

 

[2 Up 2 Down]

Staph infection in kidney? How'd that happen?

RIP

That's what I want to know.

 

[daboywonder2002]

Man a few of my friends were posting about him yesterday. Probably one of the most successful people ive seen come out of Del state. Besides Jamaal jackson from the eagles. Man, it's like every day is a wake up call. I don't know if it's the internet or what, but it seems like people are dying at a rapid pace. That's my biggest fear, is to not live long enough to watch my kids grow up.

 

[Idaeo]

i hadn't logged into Facebook for 2+ years....finally logged in a few weeks ago. Saw that Feeney hit me up last year to catch up and I never replied.


if you've gotten out of touch with good people from your past....go ahead and reach out. tomorrow is not promised.

 

[aceboon]

How do you get a staph infection in your kidneys? That shyt sounds painful, I hope the brother didn't suffer with that for long.

 

[mson]

R.I.P

 

[WhereIsTheLove]

our advocates perishing

 

[Anerdyblackguy]

Condolences to him man. He was so young too.

 

[NBA Youngbreh]

Thanks for setting an example for us young brehs Mike
Tomorrows not promised I will make my mark on the world
My young brehs we need to hit the ground running

 

[aceboon]

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/0...cur&referer=https://t.co/ZvFMtiPLT1ZvFMtiPLT1

By CHRISTINE HAUSER
FEBRUARY 1, 2016


A former reporter for The Daily News in New York, Michael J. Feeney, was about to start his dream job as an entertainment reporter with CNN when he became sick last week. On Sunday, Mr. Feeney died in a New Jersey hospital of complications from a staph infection in his kidneys, his mother, Reba Willis, said.

Mr. Feeney, who was 32, went into cardiac arrest at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, N.J., the town where he grew up, just west of New York City, according to an obituary in The News. His sudden death was mourned by many in the journalism world, from reporters who worked with him on the city’s crime beat to those who fought alongside him to improve diversity in American newsrooms.

Mr. Feeney started working for The News in 2009, first on the night shift and later covering Harlem and other uptown neighborhoods. He also covered culture and entertainment. He had recently been hired by CNN and was preparing to move to Atlanta when he became sick, Ms. Willis said. He was admitted to the hospital last Tuesday for treatment. He is also survived by a sister, Maria Feeney; a twin brother, Anthony Feeney; a niece and a nephew, according to his obituary.

Mr. Feeney was an advocate for black journalists, dedicated to increasing diversity in newsroom staffing and coverage. In 2010, he was named the emerging journalist of the year by the National Association of Black Journalists, the organization said in a release. In 2011, he was elected to serve as the group’s New York chapter president.

As a freelancer, Mr. Feeney covered the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray for NBC BLK. He covered entertainment and culture for The Record in North Jersey and news and entertainment for TheGrio.com. He also contributed to Ebony magazine and worked for The Associated Press.

Mr. Feeney attended Delaware State University, graduating in 2005 with a degree in mass communications and print journalism. He maintained close ties with his alma mater, delivering a convocation speech to students at the start of the school year in 2014. “Figure out your goals and do whatever you have to do to achieve them,” he said in the speech. “If you face adversity, find a way to get through it. If you fail, get up. If you find success, keep it going and be the best Hornet you can be,” he said, referring to the school mascot.