William R. Cooney, 80

KITTS HUMMOCK - William R. Cooney of Kitts Hummock and Pembroke Pines, Fla., died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, in Florida. He was 80.

Mr. Cooney was born and raised in Bayonne, N.J.

He was a 1950 graduate of Rutgers College, where he co-founded the first interracial, interdenominational fraternity. He earned a masters degree at Rutgers University and was awarded a John Hay Fellowship for study at Yale University.

Mr. Cooney served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater in World War II.

He had a long and distinguished career in education. First, he was a teacher in Cape May, N.J., and subsequently a teacher and department chairperson of history in Livingston, N.J., retiring from Livingston High School after 30 years in 1981.

He had a parallel career in the U.S. Army. He served in the New Jersey National Guard and the Army Reserves, retiring in 1981 as a colonel.

Throughout his life, Mr. Cooney was dedicated to the nurturing of young minds, be they high school students, officer candidates or his children and grandchildren. He instilled in those who knew him a love of learning and a deep respect for the beauty and power of the English language, a respect he expressed in his poetry and in his many witty and insightful letters to his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Christine Cooney; a grandson, Christopher Leister; and two brothers, Jack Cooney and Richard Cooney.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Barbara Cooney; four daughters, Elizabeth Leister, Patricia Cooney, Catherine Cooney and Sheri Mark; three sons, David Cooney, Timothy Cooney and Gerry Bonanni; a brother, James Cooney; a sister, Ruth Renwick; 12 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be 10 a.m. Friday in R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 318 George St., Chesapeake City, Md., where friends may call one hour earlier.

Burial will follow at 11 a.m. in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the charity of your choice.

Letters of condolence may be sent and guestbook signed at www.rtfoard.com.