Former Council President Ed Cooney Passes Away

The following information was provided by Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home.

Former president of the North Kingstown Town Council and active member of the community Edward Cooney passed away Wednesday, March 20 at his home. He was 65 years old.

Cooney served on the North Kingstown Town Council from 2004 to 2008. He was a member and past chairman of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, past chairman of Kent Hospital, trustee of Care New England and founder and chairman of Engage RI.

He was the past president of the Wickford Little League and was head coach of the Ireland National Baseball Team in 2002. One of his greatest joys was coaching the youth of North Kingstown in soccer and baseball.
He served three terms as president of the Point Judith Country Club and was a member of the Dunes Club and the University Club. He was the Grand Marshall of the Providence St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2010 and the Ambassador of the Peace Award from the World Peace Summit. He was the Person of the Year in 2011 for the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Providence.

Cooney leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Mary C. (O'Reilly), and his two sons Edward J. Cooney, Jr. and his wife Katie of Rumford and Neal T. Cooney. Additionally, he leaves behind three brothers, Michael Cooney of Matunuck, Terrance Cooney of Great Barrington, MA and James Cooney of West Kingston; three sisters, Kathleen Puchella of Snug Harbor, Agnes Chretien of Providence and Anne Cooney of Matunuck. He was the father of the late Meghan C. Cooney; and brother of the late John, Robert, Patrick, Margaret and Clara Cooney.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, March 23 at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in West Greenwich. Visiting hours are scheduled for Friday, March 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Slocum Baseball Club, 55 Brenton Court, North Kingstown, RI 02852 or the John P. Cooney Memorial Award, College of Holy Cross, 1 College Street, Worcester, MA 01610 will be appreciated.