October 18, 1953 - March 29, 2025
John A Feeley, 71, passed away suddenly at his home in Fayston, Vermont, on March 29, 2025.
John was born in Highgate, Vermont, to Avery J Feeley and Buelah Farrar Feeley. He attended Highgate Elementary schools, graduating from Missisquoi Regional High School in 1971. He attended Castleton State College for one year. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps (1972 – 1974) serving in the Vietnam Era. It came as no surprise that he passed rifle qualifications on the first day. “Where you from boy? VER-mont? He earned a degree in business from Pfeiffer College in North Carolina and headed north. He had lots of fond memories of the school bus heading to Jay Peak for a day of skiing, drilling water wells with his Dad, riding his Morgan horse and working at The Tyler Place.
Did he ever tell you about the time he and his buddies drove a fully loaded manure spreader through the center of Highgate – while it was running? Trick or Treat!
John met his future wife, Barbara Ryder, in Massachusetts on a blind date set up by friends. John and Barbara figured that they were a good match. The goal was firmly set to return to Vermont.
John was the consummate professional in his work and life. He went into banking as a loan officer, then vice president of the loan department. But the mountains were still calling him north. The desk job was not where he wanted to be. It was time to click into his skis again and head down the next trail. And don’t forget all the hunting, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking and red squirrel population control that he could do in his spare time.
Finally returning to Vermont in 1985, John and Barbara joined the Sugarbush Ski Patrol as volunteers. He earned Senior National Ski Patrol designation for Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) and Skiing and Toboggan (in two years, then OEC instructor , evaluator, instructor trainer and more. His proudest moment was his National Ski Patrol appointment in 2004, while still working full-time at the bank. His next plan was to work full-time as a professional ski patroller, which he did when he retired. He was a Sugarbush patroller from 1985 to 2025. Known for his jokes and puns that brought groans, Sugarbush patrol shacks will be a little quieter next season.
He and Barbara visited all 50 states, sleeping in the back of their truck with a truck cap and sleeping bags. They finally graduated to a camper with a bed, electricity and heat. After two months on the road every summer, they visited 49 states. Hawaii was to have been this fall.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara Ryder, Fayston, brother- in-law William Davies, Lancaster, NC, nephews Daniel Davies, Industry, ME, and Brian Davies, Attleboro, MA. His sister Sheila Davies predeceased him. And we can’t forget his buddy Ragnar. Usually pronounced RAGNAR!!!!!!
Celebration of John’s life will be at a later date. Donations can be made to the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service (MRVAS).
