Obituary for Thomas M Cooney
Thomas M. Cooney, 87 lost his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at home surrounded by his family on Thursday March 11, 2021.
Thomas was born on January 19, 1934 in Astoria Queens, NY to Peter and Mary (Walsh) Cooney. Thomas proudly served 2 years of Army Service and 6 years in the Army Reserve. Thomas was a Fireman for the New York Fire Department in Harlem for 20 years. His last few years of service to the FDNY was being an aide to the Fire Commissioner Steve Murphy. Thomas was also a chauffeur for 8 years to William F. Buckley Jr. After retirement he became a Corrections Officer for the Annandale Corrections department for 10 years. Thomas also authored a book about his experiences as a Fireman, Titled “Man behind the Badge #711”. After 911 Thomas returned to New York and joined a small army of retired fireman who went to the Towers to help with the recovery operations and clean up. During his time there he came across some small articles from the towers combined with years of FDNY memorabilia and the pictures of 343 firefighters that lost their lives, he compiled into a memorial display that he brought to schools, libraries, banks for many years. It was his passion to honor the fallen firefighters. Thomas was also an avid NY Giants fan who loved to bowl and watch his grandsons at sporting events. Tom was a kind gentile and loving man who enjoyed being with his family and always willing to help others.
Thomas is predeceased by his brother, James Cooney and his beloved Son Edward J Cooney. Thomas is survived by his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, married for 67 years to Edith (Langendorfer) Cooney, and his children, Linda Small and her husband Tim, their sons, Jason, Corey and Tyler Small of Hardyston and Kenneth Cooney of Steamboat, CO. Also survived by Grandson Andrew Merck Wantage, Brittany Brown of Sparta NJ, 2 great grandchildren and 2 nephews and one niece.
Relatives and friends will be received on Saturday March 20th from 2-4 with services at 4 pm at the Ferguson-Vernon Funeral home 241 Rt .94, Vernon, NJ (GPS use 1 Vanderhoof Ct.). In Lieu of flowers donations to FDNY Foundation 9 Metrotech Center, room #5E-6 Brooklyn, NY 11201. Online condolences may be offered at www.fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com
Thomas was born on January 19, 1934 in Astoria Queens, NY to Peter and Mary (Walsh) Cooney. Thomas proudly served 2 years of Army Service and 6 years in the Army Reserve. Thomas was a Fireman for the New York Fire Department in Harlem for 20 years. His last few years of service to the FDNY was being an aide to the Fire Commissioner Steve Murphy. Thomas was also a chauffeur for 8 years to William F. Buckley Jr. After retirement he became a Corrections Officer for the Annandale Corrections department for 10 years. Thomas also authored a book about his experiences as a Fireman, Titled “Man behind the Badge #711”. After 911 Thomas returned to New York and joined a small army of retired fireman who went to the Towers to help with the recovery operations and clean up. During his time there he came across some small articles from the towers combined with years of FDNY memorabilia and the pictures of 343 firefighters that lost their lives, he compiled into a memorial display that he brought to schools, libraries, banks for many years. It was his passion to honor the fallen firefighters. Thomas was also an avid NY Giants fan who loved to bowl and watch his grandsons at sporting events. Tom was a kind gentile and loving man who enjoyed being with his family and always willing to help others.
Thomas is predeceased by his brother, James Cooney and his beloved Son Edward J Cooney. Thomas is survived by his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, married for 67 years to Edith (Langendorfer) Cooney, and his children, Linda Small and her husband Tim, their sons, Jason, Corey and Tyler Small of Hardyston and Kenneth Cooney of Steamboat, CO. Also survived by Grandson Andrew Merck Wantage, Brittany Brown of Sparta NJ, 2 great grandchildren and 2 nephews and one niece.
Relatives and friends will be received on Saturday March 20th from 2-4 with services at 4 pm at the Ferguson-Vernon Funeral home 241 Rt .94, Vernon, NJ (GPS use 1 Vanderhoof Ct.). In Lieu of flowers donations to FDNY Foundation 9 Metrotech Center, room #5E-6 Brooklyn, NY 11201. Online condolences may be offered at www.fergusonfuneralhomesnj.com