Gerald R. Cooney

Gerald R. Cooney

September 22, 1931 to July 16, 2021

Gerald Cooney of Clarksville, Maryland passed away on July 16, 2021.  Mr. Cooney was a life-long resident of Howard County.  He was born in Fulton, Maryland on September 16, 1931 to Joseph E. Cooney and Annie Margaret Zimmerman Cooney.  At a young age Mr. Cooney went to live with his aunt and uncle, Max A. Smith and Elizabeth C. Smith, on MacBeth Farm.  Mr. Cooney was active at the farm until it was sold.  He was in the 4H Club and showed a variety of livestock from the farm.  Many summers were spent baling hay and working vegetable and fruit gardens.  The farm had beef cattle, chickens, pigs and so on as well as a variety of crops.

In 1952 Mr. Cooney joined the Marine Corp and achieved the rank of Sergeant.  Upon his return he met Bonnie G. Huff and they were married on December 2, 1955.  They would have been married for sixty six years in December of 2021.  Their daughter, Victoria, came along in 1957 and their son, Michael in 1959.  He was devoted to his wife and children.

Throughout the years Mr. Cooney worked in a variety of fields.  But, his first love was trucking and that was a constant in his career.  He loved traveling the country and experiencing the different lifestyles he encountered.  He made many friends along the way as he never met a stranger.

Mr. Cooney loved cars from an early age.  He always had a sharp, good-looking vehicle to travel in with his wife, Bonnie.  His very favorite car was the Corvette.  He had several Corvettes over the years and proudly enjoyed driving them. 

Mr. Cooney loved to take cruises for vacations, many times multiple trips in a year.  These trips allowed him to see more of the world which he enjoyed.  Also, he loved the casino on the ships.  Poker was his game of choice and he did fairly well in winnings.  He shared these adventures with his wife Bonnie.

For the last few years Mr. Cooney has been headed to McDonald’s on Tuesday mornings for “coffee with the guys”.  It started out with a few friends and grew with younger men who loved to hear the history of Howard County.  Mr. Cooney saw tremendous changes in the country and county throughout the years.  He was always remembering facts and stories to share with others.  So many stories were amazing and some just enjoyable and funny.

Mr. Cooney is survived by his wife, Bonnie G. Cooney.  He is also survived by his daughter, Victoria Brown (Ken) and his son, R. Michael Cooney (Robin).  He was fortunate to be a part of a five generation family for the last five years.  He is survived by grandsons, Jeffrey Brown (Yuliya) and Timothy Brown (Michele). In addition great grandchildren, Nick, Samantha, Vincent, Zachary, Mariam, Sofia and Emma.  His Great-great grandson Hunter.  Mr. Cooney is also survived by two sisters, Margaret Harper and Francis Murray and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph E. Cooney and Annie Margaret Cooney, and his aunt and uncle, Max A Smith and Elizabeth C. Cooney who raised him.  He was also predeceased by his sister, Mary.  Mr. Cooney will be sorely missed by his family for his happy nature, generous heart and love of family.

All services will be private at this time.

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