1933 – 2016

NORWAY — Joseph F. Cooney Jr., 82, of Norway, formerly of Salem, Mass., beloved husband of Linda (Dunn) Cooney, died suddenly Thursday, Jan. 7, at his home.

He was born in Lynn, Mass., the son of the late Joseph F. Cooney Sr. and Edith (Gulliver) Cooney. He was raised and educated in Schenectady, N.Y. Joe continued his education receiving his electrician’s license from Coyne Electrical School in Boston. He received his associate degree from North Shore Community College and his bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Northeastern University.

An honorably discharged veteran, Joe proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during the Korean War and as a member of the National Guard Reserve for 20 years.

He had been employed as an electrician for LFE Laboratories in Waltham, Mass. for 15 years. Joe joined the Salem Police Department in 1968, as a reserve officer and became a dedicated, full-time officer in 1972, until the time of his retirement in 1986.

Following his retirement, he and Linda moved to Maine. Always proud of being a veteran, he dedicated many hours to several organizations including the Western Maine Veterans’ Advisory Committee, of which he was chairman for 15 years. He was post commander at the American Legion for two years and was commander of the South Paris, Maine, Veterans’ of Foreign War for four years.

A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Joe was eternally grateful for his family and was truly proud of them and their many accomplishments. He will be deeply missed by his loving family and many friends.

In addition to his wife, Linda, Joe is survived by his three sons, Michael Cooney of West Newbury, Mass., Joseph Cooney III and his wife, Michelle, of Topsfield, Mass., and Richard Cooney and his wife, Robin, of Woburn, Mass.; his daughter, Susan Szpak and her husband, Stephen, of Salem, Mass.; and his two stepdaughters, Lori Brown and her husband, David, of Norway, and Jaime Goodwin and her husband, Seth McLain, of Los Angeles, Calif.; his 16 grandchildren; and his great-grandchild.

To share a memory or to offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.