Feeney died Jan. 31 of kidney disease at a Teaneck, N.J. hospital.
Michael J. Feeney (Courtesy of Pearl Gabel) TEANECK - Hundreds attended two services this week for award-winning journalist Michael J. Feeney, 32, who died of kidney disease Jan. 31.
President Obama sent a letter of sympathy to Feeney's family.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of your son, Michael," the president said in a letter to Feeney's mother, Reba Willis, as reported by the New York Daily News.
"My heartfelt condolences are with you as you reflect upon his life," Obama wrote. "May cherished memories of your time together help temper your grief, and may you find comfort in the support of loved ones. Please know you are in my thoughts."
A 2005 graduate of Delaware State University, Feeney worked for The Associated Press, The Record of Bergen County and the Daily News. He was past president of the New York Association of Black Journalists.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, NBC-TV New York staffers David Ushery and Janice Huff, along with hundreds of other fellow journalists and well-wishers attended a service on Monday in Harlem.
On Tuesday, a second service was held at the Community Baptist Church, 224 First St., in Englewood.
The Daily News reported that Feeney was set to begin a new job as an entertainment reporter at CNN.com in Atlanta when he became ill and was hospitalized.
He died after several days at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.