DETROIT — Bishop Patrick R. Cooney was remembered as a dedicated pastor, both as priest and as bishop here and in northern Michigan.
Bishop Cooney died early Oct. 15, at the Beaumont Hospice in Royal Oak.
“All of us in the Archdiocese of Detroit are deeply saddened at Bishop Cooney’s death,” Archbishop Allen Vigneron said the next day.
“In his years as a priest and bishop here, and then during his service in the Diocese of Gaylord, he was always a loving pastor and an unfailing support to his brother-priests. We offer condolences to his family, and we join them in commending Bishop Cooney in hope into the hands of the Heavenly Father,” the archbishop continued.
To Fr. Michael Cooney, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Mount Clemens, “He was not just my brother, he was my best friend,” and added that his brother “was a very calm, prayerful man, who had a great love of his people.”
“He will be missed, because he was well loved. My sisters and I believe he’s upstairs right now, enjoying the result of a life lived well,” Fr. Cooney said.
“Bishop Patrick Cooney was a great servant of the Church and a true father to the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Gaylord,” said Bishop Bernard A. Hebda, his successor. “He will be remembered as a shepherd who loved his flock, admired his fellow priests, and selflessly poured himself out for the good of this local Church.”
Paul A. Long, president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference, said, “Always present with a kind and generous spirit, Bishop Cooney lived his priestly ministry with pastoral concern for all. His warmth and friendly smile welcomed each person who was in his presence.”
After retiring as bishop of Gaylord, Bishop Cooney had moved to Chesterfield Township, just north of Mount Clemens, about three years ago, and frequently joined his younger brother at the altar for weekend Masses.
But Bishop Cooney’s health had been deteriorating for about the past year, his brother said. Although he was a five-time cancer survivor, he had also undergone a triple by-pass, and it was “a combination of things” that led to his death, among them congestive heart failure, diabetes and dementia, Fr. Cooney said.
Patrick R. Cooney was born March 10, 1934, in Detroit to Michael and Elizabeth (Dowdall) Cooney. He was educated at St. Edward Elementary School and then attended Sacred Heart Seminary High School. He entered Sacred Heart Seminary College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a major in philosophy. He next attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and received a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology and then a Licentiate in Sacred Theology.
He was ordained to the priesthood Dec. 20, 1959, by Bishop Martin J. O’Connor, then rector of the North American College in Rome.
Following ordination and completion of his studies, then-Fr. Cooney returned to Detroit and was assistant pastor at St. Catherine Parish, Detroit (1960-62), when he was appointed assistant chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit. He later served as director of the archdiocesan Office of Worship. From 1977-83 he was concurrently rector of the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit.
In addition, he was also chaplain at Mercy College, Detroit (1967-72). While director of worship, he pursued graduate work at the University of Notre Dame and received a Master of Arts in liturgical research.
In December 1982, Pope John Paul II named him to the episcopacy and he was ordained titular bishop of Hodelm and auxiliary bishop of Detroit on Jan. 27, 1983. Upon his episcopal ordination, Bishop Cooney chose as his motto “Forever Faithful.”
Bishop Cooney served as liaison to the Catholic Chaplains of Region VI (Michigan and Ohio) from 1987-91. He was chairman of the Church in the City Task Force in the Detroit archdiocese, and as a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop Cooney served on a number of committees. He served terms on the Board of Directors of Notre Dame Liturgical Center, the Board of Governors of North American College and on the Board of Sacred Heart Seminary.
Bishop Cooney was installed as third bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord on Jan. 28, 1990. He served until his retirement in 2009.
Besides Fr. Cooney, Bishop Cooney is survived by two sisters, Sr. Leontia Cooney, OP, and Mary A. Cooney.
Bishop Cooney was to lie in repose Oct. 18 at St. Peter Church in Mount Clemens. Visitation was to continue Oct. 19, from 9 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Fr. Cooney will be celebrant and homilist.
The body will be transferred Oct. 21 to St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord, where Bishop Cooney will lie in repose from 2:30-9 p.m., with a rosary at 4 p.m., vigil at 6 p.m., and night prayer at 9 p.m.
Visitation will continue at St. Mary Cathedral on Oct. 22, until the noon funeral Mass at which Archbishop Allen Vigneron will be principal celebrant and current Gaylord Bishop Hebda will be homilist.
Burial is to be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Southfield. Condolences may be sent to Fr. Michael Cooney, in care of St. Peter Parish, 110 New St., Mount Clemens 48043-5664.
