Belmont-----Richard Michael Cooney, 70, of Belmont, NH, formerly of Hampstead, NH passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Dick was born on October 8, 1944 in Little Falls, New York to Francis William and Felicia Marie (Buccafurno) Cooney.
Dick joined the U.S. Navy at age eighteen after graduating from Little Falls High School. In the Navy, he attended many technical schools culminating in skills as an electronics technician and as a nuclear reactor operator. Dick served for eleven years in the Navy, on board nuclear powered submarines and taught nuclear reactor operation at several military schools.
After his service years, Dick went to work for Yankee Atomic Electric Company in Rowe, MA. Dick was transferred to the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant in Seabrook, NH in 1979, where he held various positions of responsibility including Assistant Station Director until his retirement in 1998. During this time, Dick acquired a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Franklin Pierce College, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Dick was also a member of Mensa.
Dick was a wonderful husband, father, brother, Poppa and friend to many. He was selfless and humble with a great sense of humor and much wisdom to share. He earned the respect and admiration of all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Jane (Comai) Cooney; his daughters, Dawn Sherrer of Tucson, Arizona; Theresa Ross of San Diego, Laura Van Etten and her husband, Jonathan, of Meredith; Elizabeth Cooney of Waukesha, Wisconsin; and two grandsons, Samuel Richard Cooney of Meredith and Hendrix Eligio Dawson of Wisconsin; two granddaughters, Nichole Toledo of Utah and Melissa Sherrer of San Diego; and his brother William Cooney of Streamwood, Illinois.
Calling Hours will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, using the Carriage House entrance.
The service will be private at the family’s request.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please “pay it forward” in Dick’s memory. He would like that!
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.