John Michael Cooney

John Michael "Mike" Cooney passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 20, 2022, at the age of 75. Mike was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 10, 1946, and adopted as an infant by John Richard and Mary Ellen Ryan Cooney. He is survived by three daughters, Christina Cooney, Caryn Hickman (Joshua), and Casie Cooney, and the mother of his children Madalyn Mak. He is also survived by his siblings James Patrick Cooney (Sandra) and Joyce Cooney Parker (Thomas), all residing in South Florida. In addition, Mike is the proud grandfather of five grandchildren, Samuel Hickman, Isaac Tressler, Kahlan Tressler, Caleb Tressler, and Leona Horsky. Mike lived his toddler years in the Philippines and then moved to Paris, France for his elementary school years, attending the American Community School. He spoke French fluently and often wandered the streets of Paris on his own, seeing the sights, sometimes taking his little brother with him. In 1959, the Cooney Family moved to New Jersey. Mike attended Seton Hall Prep School and then Seton Hall University for three years. Mike was in ROTC and played on the golf teams at Seton Hall. He was also a basketball coach for inner-city youth. The family then moved to Florida where Mike completed college at Florida Atlantic University, graduating cum laude as a history major. Mike was sent to Viet Nam for two terms of duty. After returning home, he held several jobs, mostly in the cable industry, before settling in at Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, where he worked for over 40 years in the accounting department. But Mike's focus was always on his family. He worked a paper route for 25 years, before driving to Pahokee for his day job, to help support his children. He was particularly devoted to Chrissy, his eldest daughter with special needs. He made sure she received the services and attention she needed to live a meaningful life. He was very devoted to all of his children, making sure they had the best life possible. A visitation service will be held from 12:30 until 1:30 pm on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411. A funeral service will be held immediately after at 1:30 pm. The burial service will be held at 3 pm at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery located at 10941 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Special Olympics Florida at https://www.specialolympicsflorida.org.