Richard T. Cooney

SALEM - Richard T. Cooney, 81, of Salem, passed away at the Holy Family Hospital on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 2014. A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Richard was born in Cranston, R.I. on Oct. 25, 1933. Son of Richard and Priscilla Cooney. Richard is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janet (Lague) Cooney, his son Steven Cooney and his wife Kristin Stelmok of Albany, his daughter Kimberly Ullerich and her husband Ingo Ullerich of Cologne, Germany, his grandchildren Ella and Jack Ullerich, his sisters and brother in law, Mary Cooney of South Carolina, Alma Cooney of Andover, Mass., and Al Rogers of Florida, many nieces and nephews, and cousins in Ireland.

Richard was predeceased by his sister and brothers: William and John Cooney, and Rita Rogers.

Richard was educated in the local schools of Cranston, R.I. After serving in the Army from 1953 to 1955, Richard enrolled in the University of Rhode Island, graduated in 1959 and was hired by Bell Laboratories. Bell Labs sent him to Northeastern University to get his masters degree. Richard spent his entire working career working for Bell Labs in North Andover, Mass., a job he truly loved. After retiring from Bell Labs, Richard was able to turn his love of politics into a profession with his 10 year service as a New Hampshire State Representative - a job he thoroughly enjoyed. He loved discussing politics, was a true patriot, and deeply believed in our democratic system. After leaving the legislature, Richard turned his attention to traveling - visiting family and friends. He especially enjoyed visiting his cousins in Ireland in 2012, and of course his many trips to Germany to visit his grandchildren. Mr. Cooney was a proud resident of Salem for the past 48 years. He was a past president of the Lions Club, an active member of the VFW, and the Salem Senior Center in Salem. He was a former Budget Committee member and Library Trustee in Salem. He enjoyed the beauty of New Hampshire's White Mountains and felt deeply connected to our State's Old Man on the Mountain. He enjoyed chess, tennis, bridge, and golf. He was a devoted wine enthusiast and an avid photographer, generously documenting big and small events in his family's and friend's lives. He was an unstoppable planner, enjoyed showing his children this country in which we live, and happily spent his vacations visiting his grandchildren in Germany, a country he felt connected to after his Army experience there. Richard's family and friends loved him very much and will miss him dearly.

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services: Calling hours will be Sunday, Dec. 7 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. A memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Urn burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salem Senior Center, 1 Sally Sweet Lane, Salem, NH 03079 or Salem Retired Educators Association, P.O.Box 1966, Salem, NH 03079. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com.