James J Cooney

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- James J. Cooney, 84, of Toms River, N.J., a retired firefighter who is remembered for his gift for easing difficult situations with a wonderful sense of humor, died Saturday in Community Medical Center, also Toms River.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he moved to Travis in 1959 and to Great Kills in 1979. He relocated to Toms River in 2009.

A graduate of St. Leonard High School in Brooklyn, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War.

Mr. Cooney served as a New York City firefighter for 30 years, assigned to Engine Co. 5 in Manhattan. He retired in 1985.

He enjoyed golfing and training dogs to perform tricks and remain obedient, his family said. Mr. Cooney also volunteered for Meals on Wheels of Staten Island, Inc., making deliveries.

His daughter, Maureen Cicero, said her father had a wonderful sense of humor that often worked as comic relief during gloomy situations.

Mr. Cooney was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills.

His wife of 25 years, the former Viola Frederick, died in 1969, and his daughter, Carol Cooney, died in 2004.

Along with his daughter, Maureen, surviving are his sons, James J. Jr. and Peter J.; his brother, Frank; four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Thursday from the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.