Peter Wilkins Cooley

Just learned of an old friends passing. Pete was a good friend at Lake Shore Elementary, Gillette Middle School and finally Cicero High. Unfortunately after graduation I pretty much dropped of the face of the earth as far as staying in touch with old friends. In retrospect I wish I could have spent more time with friends, such as Pete. Peter was always happy and had a smile for everyone, I don't remember him ever not having a happy look on his face. It sounds like he enjoyed life to the fullest, even if it was cut short. If we could only turn back the clock. To all my classmates from Cicero I would like to say a belated hello, and to say goodbye to a good friend in Pete. Rest well my friend.

Shocked and saddened to hear the news. I was lucky enough to have played baseball with Pete for a few years in Seattle. He took me to my first golf tournament, '98 PGA, which started my affinity for the game. He organized baseball team trips to Chicago and Las Vegas - some of my best memories were shared with him. And no one had stories like Pete! Unmatched. Truly one of a kind and my deepest condolences to his family.

Jon, Shawna, Anne, Mary, Lauren, Max
Mr. And Mrs Cooley

My deepest heartfelt sympathies at the loss of our "little" brother way too soon.

Fishing on Oneida lake without you will never be the same, nor will Swampers and golf outings. Who will decide on the knickers outfits and the themes? Who will pull together friends from 45 years gone by?
Who will create memories on Maple Bay, at the Camp, and cross country journeys?

Miss ya Peter...please ensure the boat in heaven has room for Jon and me. Ism confident you are fish spotting on a weekly basis. You were an unconditional loyal and true friend.
A gem to say the least.

GODSPEED my Friend!
SLATS

Pete made so many memories and friends at Stetson- always a kind man with a wonderful smile. My prayers go out to his family. Irene Rodriguez Stetson classmate '84.

Pete Cooley, our deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire family. Pete was one of the giants of our class of '77 @ Cicero. The 'Cooley stories' and memories will always live on. We were happy to be able to see Pete regularly lately in Pensacola on his nationwide "A MAN AND HIS DOG" tours. R I P my friend.

So very sorry to hear of Pete's sudden and untimely passing. Our deepest sympathies and warmest regards go out to Mary and the entire Cooley family.

John and Debbie -

I am incredibly sorry to hear of Pete's passing. I got to meet and talk to Pete a few times over recent years, and he was just one of those people you couldn't help but be drawn in by his charisma. He always had a warm friendly smile for everyone around him. My prayers are with you all.

Pat Geloff

I'm at a loss for words !! As I sit and reflect on days gone by and all my childhood memories we shared, a sadness comes over me. Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side by side; our roots will always be tangled. I'm eternally grateful for that.

Please accept my Sincere Condolences

Cathy McGreevy Palmitesso

To the Cooley Family,

The words escape me at this time. As I sit here I'm reflecting back to our childhood/neighborhood days, where life was simple, fun, and filled with dreams and goals of our future's. This comes to me today with great sorrow.

An Unbreakable Bond ~ May this bring some comfort to you all....God Bless
The bond you shared with Peter doesn't end with death. The lessons you've learned, the memories you've shared, and the love that you all had for each other lives on. Through all the years to come, Peter will be there by your side whenever you share a story about times you spent together. Gone but never forgotten....

My Sincerest Condolences
Cathy (McGreevy) Palmitesso

Jon and Debbie,
My condolences for the sudden loss of Peter. Unfortunately, I was out of town and not able to attend the calling hours.
My sympathy to you and your family.

With many fond memories of Pete back in the Cicero days as a wonderful teammate and always full of life. With regards to all of the Cooley family and with wishes that the support of friends of loved ones may cushion the untimely loss, Larry Briggs.

Our deepest sympathy, and prayers to all of the family. Pete was a great teammate and was funny as hell. He's a legend I hadn't seen Pete in many years but whenever I did see him it was fast and easy to pick up. God bless all of you and know that the McGrath's are praying for you.

I met Pete freshman year at Cornell when we were teammates and lived on the same floor. We became good friends and shared a few, just a few, beers together. Pete was always a positive person who made friends easily. We reconnected about 6 years ago when Pete and his crews became regular attendees at the Cornell Footballl golf outing. Pete stood out with his crazy golf attire., warm smile, and positive attitude. Just as he was over 40 years ago when I first met him at. Cornell.

My condolences to his family. He will be missed.

Tom Bottini

I met Pete at Cornell when we were teammates on the freshman football team and we lived on the same floor in Mary Donlon Hall. We became good friends and enjoyed a few, just a few, beers together. Pete was always a free spirit, and had a very positive outlook on life. After college, we went our separate ways, but reconnected about 6 years ago when Pete became a regular at the Cornell football golf outing, showing up in his crazy golf attire. He was still the same person I met in college. He had a great zest for life and seemed to always be in great spirits. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.

Tom Bottini

Sending my sincere condolences to the entire Cooley family...especially to Jon who gave me one of my first jobs out of high school with the Town of Cicero Parks & Rec. One quick story that I'll never forget is when he & I hit back to back homer's against North Syracuse High to win the game 4-3 in 1976. Once again my sincere condolences for the loss of Pete.

Sending my sincere condolences to the entire Cooley family, especially to Jon... Jon gave me one of my first jobs out of high school with the Town of Cicero Parks

To the Cooleys:
Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of Peter.
What a terrific athlete and I'm sure a good son and brother.
Hope all the good memories sustain you all.
Dick Clarke

Condolences to the family. My high school friend and teammate was golden throughout in everything.....RIP Pete.

I knew from the time Pete played freshman basketball for me at Cicero HS that he was one-of-a-kind, a special kid who would do special things in his life. In reading his obituary I was amazed at, but not surprised by, all that he was involved with and what he accomplished in his too short 57 years.

My sincere condolences to Jon and Debbie and the entire Cooley family.

Thoughts and prayers are with your family today. I first knew Pete as an athlete and competed against him in High School. Later in life I got to know Pete as a friend. He was one of the funniest and most caring guys I have ever known.

I played Freshman football with Pete at Cornell. He had an infectious positive attitude and was always smiling! He was my only friend on the team as he made a very frustrating experience for me fun and interesting. A great guy!! My sincere condolences to his family. Pete was a blessing!!

Rev Eric Richardson
Memphis, TN.

Jon and Debbie-
I was so sorry to learn of your brother's passing. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Cooley family. Pete left a lasting impression on me and he made law school fun. Pete was our leader on so many NCAA and sporting expeditions and a punishing bruiser on the boards. Rest in peace my friend.

Mary and Family, I'm so saddened by your sudden loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

The Emmi family sends our deepest condolences to the Cooley family. Pete enjoyed life, but was also one of the kindest souls I ever had the pleasure to know. He loved his family deeply and that love will endure forever. I remember a few weeks after my father died, Pete somehow tracked down my sister's address & sent her flowers. Pete had never met my sister. He was that kind of guy. He was a kind & generous soul, who left a lasting impression upon all he met. He'll be sorely missed. I feel so fortunate to have known him and his family. He bettered my life in so many ways. I loved him.

My heart goes out to the Cooley family.. Growing up with brothers that were his friends I could always count on hilarious stories about Pete.. We made a great Army Navy trip in 1987 with my brothers, had some drinks and then we got lost trying to get me back on the bus back to Annapolis.

Pete thanks for the memories buddy. YOU WERE TRULY ONE OF A KIND.. GOD BLESS YOU ALL..Pete Clarke

Dearest Mary and Family, Jon and I were so sad to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers. Jon & Arlene Sonnen

To Mary and Lauren,

My deepest condolences to you and your family. Pete was a wonderful man who clearly loved his family and loved living life to the fullest. He was so friendly and I'm glad I got the opportunity to get to know him a bit. You two are in my prayers and thoughts.

Sincerely,
Danielle Elsberry

To Jon and Debbie very sorry for your loss never knew him myself but he sounds like a great guy am sure he will be missed.....
Dennis J. DiDomenico

A great classmate, great smile, fun laugh and good memories from our high school days... you will be missed my friend... Lizabeth (Clancy) Gralnik

Many cherished memories of Summers with Peter and his loving family at the lake. My heartfelt condolences to Mary, Laren, Aunt & Uncle and cousins.

Your loved one will always be as close as a memory and the God of all comfort is always as close as a prayer.

Offering our deepest condolences during this time.