Former Mt. Lebanon principal loses battle with cancer
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Brian McFeeley was awarded a game ball from the football team during Mt. Lebanon’s 63-7 victory over Butler in September of 2019. Pictured with the former Mt. Lebanon principal, who was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that summer, were his wife, Keary, and son, Adam. Fans and band members sported green shirts with McFeeley strong on the front and “The Lebo Family does not fight alone” on the back. Shirts sold for $20 and were a fundraiser for pancreatic cancer research.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mt. Lebanon athletic director John Grogan with Brian McFeeley at the Hall of Champions event in 2018.
March 4 was a beautiful day in the Mt. Lebanon neighborhood but a sad one, too.
While the community celebrated a championship in girls’ basketball, it also mourned the loss of a beloved principal.
Brian Robert McFeeley, 49, died after a valiant battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
“Brian was one of the nicest, most genuine people-person that you could ever know. He truly cared about everyone,” said Dori Oldaker.
Oldaker has been an elementary schoolteacher and varsity head basketball coach at Mt. Lebanon since 2002. She is also a parent of two teenage daughters.
“This is such a sad tough loss to our school district and community,” she added. “My heart breaks for his wife, two sons and family.”
A Langley High School graduate and an Eagle Scout, McFeeley earned an undergraduate degree from Penn State and a master’s from the University of Pittsburgh before he joined the Mt. Lebanon School District in 1995. He served as a teacher, unit principal, middle school principal and high school principal.
Since becoming the Mt. Lebanon athletic director in 2000, John Grogan not only worked with McFeeley but developed a strong bond with him.
“I will truly miss my friend,” he said. “Brian was the best.”
Grogan said he learned so much from McFeeley and was fortunate to work with him for so many years.
“Brian was a terrific leader who cared deeply about the people and students he worked with. He had the ability to make you feel supported; he would encourage you and was always good for a smile.”
McFeeley had a passion for his position. It enabled him to be servant leader to many, Grogan said.
“He was a man of integrity and compassion,” Grogan continued. “He worked tirelessly for the good of our district. He made a huge difference to so many people.”
McFeeley meant the most to his family.
He met his wife, Keary, at Mt. Lebanon. Married for 18 years, the couple had two sons, Colin, 16, and Adam, 15.
McFeeley was the son of Robert and Carol (Haley) McFeeley and had one brother, Todd.
Shortly after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, the community and school district rallied around him. They raised funds for cancer research and his personal needs through the purchase of specially designed T-shirts.
The green shirts, emblazoned with shamrocks, included slogans such as “McFeeley Strong” on the front and either “The Lebo family does not fight alone” or “Together We Fight” on the back.
The shirts were evident throughout the Petersen Events Center when the Blue Devils defeated Upper St. Clair, 55-44, for their fourth WPIAL title under Oldaker. The Mt. Lebanon student cheering section donned them as did the players, who did not learn of McFeeley’s passing until after the game.
“My heart breaks,” Oldaker said. “Brian put up a courageous fight.”
After a public viewing for McFeeley at Beinhauer Family Funeral Home in McMurray, a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated March 10 at St. Thomas More Church.
Memorial donations can be made by making checks payable to “McFeeley Strong” and mailed c/o Mt. Lebanon Federal Credit Union, 155 Cochran Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228.