Obituary of Michael D. Feigin

NORWALK, CONN

Michael David Feigin of Westport, a longtime crew chief at Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service (WVEMS), died at home. He was 90. 

He was born in Manhattan and owned and operated the Michael D. Feigin Insurance Company.  He was a graduate of McBurney School in New York City and a 1951 graduate of Lafayette College. He was a life member of the Westport Y’s Men. 

He studied and received his EMT certification from Norwalk Hospital in the early 1970s and volunteered at both Norwalk Hospital and Westport EMS where he served as a crew chief for 45 years. Monday nights were his regular shift.

On his retirement in 2003, he said: “You want to go out before you do any damage to your patients, your crew, or yourself.”

The insurance executive was the first regional coordinator for EMS in 1975 and helped push for legislation requiring an upgrading of equipment and staffing on all Connecticut ambulances.

In 1979, he was playing tennis at an indoor court in Westport and saw a fellow tennis player go down. 

Along with two police officers, Feigin performed CPR on the man for almost 30 minutes. The man survived and went on to play tennis for 12 more years.

Feigin was honored one year at the Connecticut EMS conference as the Volunteer of the Year. He is also a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. 

Survivors include his wife Dorothy Gottshall Feigin of Westport, one stepson, Keal Evans and wife Giovanna Conte one son, Eric Feigin, two stepdaughters, Kema Whelan and her husband Kenny, Keah Shields and her husband Larry, one daughter, Laura Knight and her husband Walter, six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Friends are invited to attend a graveside service Friday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. in Willowbrook Cemetery, 395 Main St.  At Michael’s request calling hours have been omitted. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Westport Volunteer Emergency Service, 50 Jesup Road, Westport, CT. 06880.

The Harding Funeral Home, 210 Post Road East, is in charge of arrangements.