Obituary of Richard D. Cooney

CANISTEO: Richard D. "Dick" Cooney, 83, of Third Street passed away Wednesday (Feb. 10, 2016), at St. James Mercy Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Dick was born August 2, 1932 in Kinney, Pa. to John and Florence (O'Donnell) Cooney. On July 2, 1960 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Genesee, Pa. he married the former JoAnne Worden who survives and resides in Canisteo. He was predeceased by his parents, three brothers: Dennis, Thomas and Daniel Cooney and a sister, Anne Goodridge. Dick graduated from high school in Genesee, Pa. and furthered his education at Mansfield State College where he earned a BS degree in Social Studies and English. He completed his master's degree at Alfred University. He taught Social Studies and English at the Northern Potter School in Ulysses, Pa. and Canisteo Central School. He continued his public school employment as a guidance counselor at Jasper-Troupsburg and finished his career at Addison Central School. Dick was also a veteran of the US Army serving during the Korean War. He was a member of the Canisteo American Legion, the Hornell VFW, the Hornell Elks Club and the Hornell Association. Dick was an avid and loyal Buffalo Bills fan, who loved to travel around the US and made a few trips to Ireland. Dick enjoyed gardening, but his greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. In addition to his wife of 55 years, JoAnne Cooney of Canisteo, Dick is survived by two daughters: Mary Ann (Thomas) Donovan of Euclid, Ohio and Joan (Edward) Merry of Arkport. Grandsons, Christopher Cooney, Jacob and Justin Merry, great grandsons, Brayden and Rogan Cooney. He is also survived by a brother, Patrick (Isabelle) Cooney, sister-in-law, Vicky Cooney and a brother-in-law William Worden and an extended family of many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4-8 PM Friday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo. A mass of Christian burial will take place Saturday at 11:00 am at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Hornell. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Kinney. Pa. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to either the Canisteo Ambulance and Fire Dept. 35 Main St. Canisteo, N.Y. 14823 or to Our Lady of the Valley, 31 Erie Ave. Hornell, N.Y. 14843.�� Service: Saturday, February 13, 2016 11:00 AM�� St. Ann's Catholic Church Hornell, New York�� Visitation: Friday, February 12, 2016 4:00 - 8:00 PM�� H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. 29 East Main Street Canisteo, New York��