Feehley Inducted into Md. Hall of Heroes

OCEAN CITY- A local icon dubbed “Mr. Ocean City” by a famous Baltimore sportswriter decades ago last weekend was added to the “Hall of Heroes” at the Maryland Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards in Baltimore.

Former Ocean City Councilman George Feehley, a long-time member of the Beach Patrol and the United States Lifeguard Association (USLA), last Friday was added to the pantheon of famous Maryland sports figures in the Hall of Heroes at the Sports Legends Museum in the Babe Ruth Museum at Camden Yards. Feehley, an Ocean City resident for more than half a century, was honored as much for his athletic exploits in high school in Baltimore and later at the University of Maryland as he was for his lifetime of achievements in Ocean City, where he still competes in swimming and senior lifeguard competitions across the nation and internationally.

Feehley remains one of Baltimore’s best all-time high school athletes after lettering in track, basketball and football at Patterson High School. He was captain of the Patterson football team as a senior and was voted by sportswriters that year to the All-Maryland team. Years ago, Feehley was inducted into Patterson High’s Hall of Fame and remains a strong supporter and active alumnus to this day.

After serving in the U.S. Army after high school, Feehley attended the University of Maryland where he was a member of the school’s boxing team. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Maryland and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.

Feehley eventually settled in Ocean City in 1955 and became well known in the resort for being an avid swimmer, surfer, diver and everything else related to the beach and ocean. He is a former member of the Ocean City beach patrol, a former school teacher, real estate broker and hotel owner. He was elected to the Ocean City Council for four terms and served as Council President for one.

Later in life, Feehley joined the USLA and began competing in senior competitions nationally and abroad. Sponsored by Fila, an international athletic apparel company, Feehley has competed in USLA events in Maryland, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Texas, California, Florida, Ohio and Illinois. He has also represented the USLA and Fila at international competitions in South Africa, New Zealand and Italy, often facing competitors more than a decade younger than him. For 20 years. Feehley has been competing in senior USLA competitions where he has swam, ran, rowed and paddled his way to several trophies and medals.