Dennis Michael Cooney, a lifelong resident of Central Falls, passed away unexpectedly on January 12, 2011. He is survived by his family of whom he was immensely proud including his children, Stephen, Keri-Ann, Kristina, Cassandra and Courtney; his wife, Carol A. (Pietraszka) Cooney; his grandchildren, Jacob, Michael and Alexander (Turchetta); his siblings, Barbara J. Lariviere, Daniel F. Cooney, Raymond P. Cooney, Carol C. Folan, and Marilyn A. Cooney, as well as countless nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, in-laws, and friends. He was the son of the late Mary M. (Turenne) Cooney and the late Stephen E. Cooney. He was 61.

Dennis was a graduate of Central Falls High School and Rhode Island College, where he received his Bachelor's Degree, two Secondary Degrees (Masters' in English and Education), and received his Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study in the field of Education. It was his joy in life to be a teacher.

For the last two decades he was a dedicated teacher at the Rhode Island Training School; he taught G.E.D. classes at the Adult Correctional Institution in Cranston, Rhode Island, and previously taught at numerous public and parochial schools.

Helping others improve their lives, whoever it was, brought him his greatest happiness. Those who can, teach.

Also, for 25 years he proudly served in the United States Navy during both the Vietnam and Desert Storm conflicts, both active and reservist during and throughout that time.

Dennis enjoyed everything. He loved his family, job, coaching, sports, food (pickled herring?!), a good cup of coffee--and terrible jokes (knowingly terrible.)

He spoke only the good of people, and when Dennis had your back, he had it all the way. His greatest solace in life was sharing a story and having someone listen.

He was a father and a son, a brother and a husband, a teacher and a coach, a friend to many, and touched the lives of all he met. He will be missed.

His grandson Jacob wanted to be sure everyone knew that, "Grandpa was very helpful, and always a loving person."

His funeral will be held on Thursday at 8:30 am from the Lincoln Funeral Home, 1501 Lonsdale Ave., Lincoln with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Holy Spirit Parish (St. Matthews), 1030 Dexter Street, Central Falls, RI, 02863. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, January 19, 2011 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be be made in the name of Dennis M.Cooney for the benefit of students transitioning from RITS at: Rhode Island Credit Union, 160 Francis St., Providence, RI, 02903. [(401-751-7440)/ (www.ricreditunion.org)]

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Lincoln Funeral Home
1501 Lonsdale Avenue
Lincoln, RI 02865
401-726-4117

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