Pat attended school in Genesee, where he was class president, and a standout athlete. He played varsity basketball as a seventh grader, which was unheard of at the time. After graduating in 1955, he enlisted with the United States Army and was stationed in Ft. Hood, TX. While in Ft. Hood, he was recruited to join the Army Boxing Team. For the next two years Pat traveled all over Europe boxing and only ever lost one match.
After his time with the Army, Pat held various jobs in Pennsylvania and then in California. He returned home and worked on a highway maintenance crew, worked for Fish Construction, and later for Air Preheater as a welder. Upon the death of his brother, he was asked by his parents to take over the family farm. He was a very hard worker, many times doing the morning milking, spending all day in the field, completeing the eveing milking, and then working an 8 hour shift at Preheater, and starting all over again with only a couple hours sleep.
He loved his family and enjoyed the occasional card game. He was often seen driving around in one of his prized Lincoln Town Cars. He was known for his quick wit, dry sense of humor, work ethic, generosity, and love of animal. He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed routing for Penn State, Notre Dame, and the Buffalo Bills. When his children were younger, he traveled all over to watch them compete in various sporting events. Pat also enjoyed reading, hunting, trips to the casino, antiquing, and sitting on his property and taking-in its beauty. He was proud of his extensive zippo lighter, pipe, and vintage hat collections.
He belonged to the Sacred Heart Church in Genesee, and a volunteer groundskeeper for the St. Mary’s Cemetery for many years. He was a member of the Belmont American Legion Post #808 and Wellsville VFW Post #2530.
He is survived by: three sons, Ronald (Candy) Cooney of Ulysses, PA, John (Mary Siano) Cooney of Manorville, NY, and Dennis (Alison Miyamoto) Cooney of Fullerton, CA; two daughters, Peggy Cunningham of New Port Richey, FL, and Patricia Cooney of Belmont; six grandchildren, Colby, Coly, Colin, Katy, Kaley, and Claire; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, JoAnne Cooney of Canisteo, NY; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by: a daughter, Kelly; four brothers, Dennis, Thomas, Daniel, and Richard; a sister, Anne; a grandson, Kenneth; a nephew, Kevin; and nieces, Mary and Maureen.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrate on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 10 am, in Sacred Heart Church of Genesee, PA with Reverend Joseph Dougherty presiding. Burial, with military honors, will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Kinney, PA. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to the SPCA Serving Allegany County, PO Box 181, Belmont, NY 14813. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
So many think they have difficulties, then you read about your Dad working two hard jobs. Sounds like someone who alot regarding the facets of a life. Hugs to you.
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