A Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. James J. Cooney, was celebrated May 8 in the chapel at Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. He died May 6 at the age of 81.
Born in Brooklyn, he attended St. Mary’s College, St. Mary, Ky.; and Mount St. Mary Seminary, Emmitsburg, Md. He was ordained May 30, 1964 at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn, by Bishop Bryan J. McEntegart.
He served as an assistant at Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Maujer St., Williamsburg, 1964-66; Our Lady of the Presentation, Brownsville, 1966-74; and was spiritual director at St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, 1974-92.
He served as pastor of Holy Rosary, Bedford-Stuyvesant, 1992-96, and at St. Clare, Rosedale, 1996-2007.
He also was spiritual director at Cathedral Prep Seminary, Elmhurst, 2007-2010. He was named a monsignor in 1988.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio was the main celebrant of the funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included Msgr. John J. Brown, and Fathers Hugh Byrne and Raymond Roden.
Deacon Matt Oellinger, liaison for senior priests, said that Msgr. Cooney “was a very spiritual and holy priest. He loved the young people especially at St. Francis Prep and as spiritual director and advisor at Cathedral Prep in Elmhurst.”
He explained that Msgr. Cooney also was known for a vast collection of joke books. “He had a wonderful sense of humor,” said the deacon.
“He was a very holy man … a fine man and a great priest. He was a good listener and could make you feel better.”
“I’m not sure there is a word that can describe how really ‘good’ he was.”
When St. Francis Prep announced the death on its website, it immediately filled with tributes from former students thanking Msgr. Cooney for his guidance, counsel and understanding as well as his “corny” jokes.
Msgr. Cooney is survived by his sister, Jeanne Corrigan of Lake Grove, L.I. Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.
Forever in my heart. I miss you so much.
Jim Cooney was one of God’s Finest ! He was such a good example of how we should all be, with God first and foremost in our lives. He will be missed until the day We see him again in the arms of the Lord !
I came to know Father Cooney at St. Francis Prep, where he and I served for maany years. He was truly a wonderful man. It was always a comfort just to exchange a few words with him. He had a great depth of understanding and courage that made those who knew him take heart for the goodness in people.
Bye Msgr. Thanx. You were a good friend. F. Hassett from St. Gregory the Great, Bellrose, Queens.
Rev James cooney had a big influence on me as a young 13 year old altar boy and our lady of the presentation church he always told jokes he loved the take the altar boys out for ice cream he was a great man of God- may his soul rest in peace
I knew Fr. Cooney from the Cursillo Center in Greenpoint. He was one of the spiritual advisors, and became a friend during my teenage years. when I moved from Brooklyn to Long Island, I asked for his help in running a day of reflection for the youth of the parish. He consented, and came to give a talk.
He was a super human being, soft spoken, kind and with a happy heart. May he rest in peace and find some new puns in heaven.