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Gilbert Cooney Obituary
Born Feb. 1, 1924 in Ashley, he was the son of the late James Munley Cooney and Harriet Casey Cooney. Gil attended Ashley High School. In 1943, he entered the U.S. Army where he served as a combat medic. He received four Bronze Medals for his bravery in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of World War.
Gil returned home to Ashley, attended night school while working in a shoe factory. It was there that he got his start to serve and represent the shoe factory workers in Wyoming Valley. Later he served as secretary-treasurer of the Boot and Shoe Workers of Local 149 AFL. In 1955, Knox was elected to the AFL-CIO as a full-time agent for the unions at headquarters in downtown Wilkes-Barre. His love for his community and passion was evidenced by his accomplishments. Gil along with other union leaders helped implement a program for intellectually disabled people. As a result, he was presented with an award from the Luzerne County Association for Retardation in 1962.
His passions did not go unnoticed. In 1986, he received "The Spirit of Unionism Honor" award from UFCS Local 1357. On Feb. 1, 1986 he retired after serving 39 years as union officer. He served on the board of The United Way, the United Rehabilitation Board and volunteered with numerous organizations. In 2015, he was given the Mother Jones Award for his dedication for helping the many men and women in Wyoming Valley.
Most importantly, he was a loving, dedicated husband to his wife Geraldine with whom he shared 67 years. He was a great father to his children, Jim and Gildine. He treasured his time spent and was proud of his grandchildren, Brett, Jimmy, Tim and Jennifer; and most recently his five great-grandchildren, James, Kate, Colin, Jack and Declan. Gil told his family that he was blessed having lived a full life with a wonderful family.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, James, Patrick, and Jerome; and his sister, Harriet Kowak.
Gil will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Geraldine Gurgick Cooney; son, Jim and wife, Patricia; daughter, Gildine and husband, Richard Musial; granddaughter, Jennifer, grandson, Brett Musial, grandson, Jim and wife, Maureen; and grandson, Tim and his wife, Colleen. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins and numerous others whose lives he helped shape.
The family extends special thanks for the loving care Gil received from his special team of "Visiting Angels," Erwine Hospice and Dr. Michelle Catena and staff.
Celebration of Gil's life will begin Tuesday with visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. at McLaughlin's, 142 S. Washington St. in Wilkes-Barre, and continued there Wednesday with gathering at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Leo the Great in Ashley. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to a charity of your preference.Memories and condolences may be shared with Gil's family at www.lifecelebrations.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gilbert Cooney
Girard Gurgick
February 9, 2016
I have nothing but wonderful memories of Uncle Knox and visits to Ashley and my cousins. My condolences to the family on his passing. God Bless you all. Always....
David M. Cooney
February 7, 2016
Knox - say hello to my Dad when you meet in heaven.
God Bless
Lucille Koneski-White
February 2, 2016
Dear Jim and Cooney family, My sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad. May you find comfort and peace as he lives on in your hearts.
Bonnie Evans
February 2, 2016
Dear Jim,
I was so sorry to hear that your dad had passed away. The obituary in the paper was a beautiful tribute to him. I hope that your many wonderful memories will bring you comfort. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie Marconi Evans
Annette Cooney Lignowski
February 2, 2016
I love you and will miss you in so many ways. Our long talks, your good advice, and how you listening so unconditionally. I know you are now with my dad and uncle Pat. Love, love, love you, Annette
Fr. ron Hughes
February 2, 2016
My sincerest condolence to Gil'so family from a fellow Not really Dame fan,
I first met Gil at St Teresa residence and was impressed with his dedication to his wife answer that we were ND fans.
May your faith console you and your precious memories give you comfort and peace.
I will offer a mass for the repose of his soul. May his soul and sll the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
soul
Mark Albosta
February 2, 2016
I have the upmost respect for this gentle and loving man. He would drive us in high school to the dances at the CYC in Wilkes Barre and was a wonderful neighbor and citizen to his community. I was fortunate to have seen him in the past few years and he always made you feel at home and his concern for others,pride in his family and always making you feel welcome. Gil, you are a wonderful example of a man of character and devotion to his faith, family and friends.Spent time with your children and coached. A well lived life and you deserve eternal life with the angels and saints in heaven. He would want us all to continue to follow his example of truly living a life and counting his blessings. Rest in peace dear Gil. You have done it all with finesse and class.
February 2, 2016
Dear Jim and Family: So sorry to hear of your father's passing. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Marie (Ranieli) Hanko - New Jersey
February 2, 2016
Such a good man! You all have my sympathy. May he rest in peace.
Denise Dula Newcomb
February 2, 2016
Our deepest condolences. Your husband/father was a good man and a great friend to our parents the late Edward and Agnes Dula. My he rest in peace.
Eric Casey
February 2, 2016
Absolutely a fantastic person. I loved hearing his stories at my family reunions and all other family gatherings. He was a great cousin to my late grandpa Gerald Casey. My cousin Knox was always a favorite of mine and I'll miss him.
Marilyn
February 2, 2016
Uncle Knox was a great listener, he was a great advisor, he was mild mannered, he always had a good word for everyone. Uncle Knox bandaged my foot after I stepped on a nail, he took me and my siblings to church, that was my first religious experience, he helped us while growing up. These are the little things that stuck over the years. Beyond those little things, just imagine what he has given of himself over the years, it's monumental. I'm sure he'll be the same way in heaven, too bad they give one set of wings, Uncle Knox earned flocks of wings. May Geri, Jim, Gildene and our entire family find peace with the good memories Uncle Knox left behind.
Mary Ellen Stevens
February 1, 2016
Very dedicated, compassionate, strong willed and caring person.
Gil always had great stories to tell and he loved his family. God Bless and may he rest in peace.
Tom Murray
February 1, 2016
A very good man!!!!
Mimi Shinal
February 1, 2016
Jimmy and gildine,
So very sorry to hear about your dad's passing. May he rest in peace.
Katrina Bennett
February 1, 2016
Rest easy and forever in peace dear Gil.The world is a sadder place without you.
My deepest sympathies to Jim, Gildine and family.
george gegaris
February 1, 2016
wonderful man, always there for the kids, one of my first baseball coaches, rest in peace, Mr Cooney
Larry Schaefer
February 1, 2016
May your rest in peace uncle Knox I love you and will miss you dearly.
Tommy Tompkins
February 1, 2016
Jim,
Tammy and I are deeply sorrowful for your loss. I can tell by reading about your father that he was a great man. You and your family are in our prayers.
Linda Leiby
February 1, 2016
My deepest sympathies to the entire Cooney family.
Tim Brown
February 1, 2016
Our sympathy' s to you Jim and Pat on the passing of your father. I never met him but heard you talk of him. There's was truly the greatest generation.
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M.J. McLaughlin Company142 South Washington Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
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