James Cooney

LONG LAKE-James Terrance Cooney, 79, of Long Lake died Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at the United Helpers Nursing Home in Ogdensburg as a result of Alzheimer's disease. Jim was born in Brooklyn to James and Beatrice (Casey) Cooney on August 4, 1930. He was raised and schooled in Queens, after which he served in the U.S. Marine corps for two years. He met Lydia Houghton during one of his many hunting, trapping and fishing expeditions to Long Lake, and they were married in April of 1950. She pre-deceased him in 1980. Jim worked for NL industries in Tahawus for over 30 years and starting in the 1960's, owned and operated Northwoods Garden Center with his wife (and later with his daughter Patty). For 20 years, he was the head groundskeeper at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain lake. He was renowned for his landscaping there, at various Great Camps and at his own home, where his brilliant outdoor artistry was featured in the books Blooms on Bedrock and Gardens--Adirondack Style. He is survived by one son James of Long Lake; six daughters- Jean Lyman of Long Lake, Rose (Bruce) Tallon of Morristown, Patty (Mike) Farrell of Long Lake, Maureen Gonzalez of Hobe Sound, FL., Martha (Mike) Godin of Tupper Lake and Kathleen (Ed) Hanchett of Queensbury; nine grandchildren-Cameron Tallon, Shea Carr, Danielle Ice, Michelle Valentine, Lauren Gonzalez, Michael Valentine, Emily Godin, Lydia Hanchett and Isabelle Hanchett; three great-grandchildren- Madison Tallon, Ian Carr and Delaney Carr and Jim's special friend, Janet White of Rochester. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, February 25 from 6 to 8 pm at the St. Henry's Parish Hall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at St. Henry's church at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Long Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the Alzheimer's Unit of United Helpers Nursing Home (Ogdensburg) where he received outstanding care. Online condolences may be made at www.stuartfortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.