Daniel Russell Cooney, 92, of Darien, Conn. and Waldoboro, died in Darien on June 24.
Born in Brooklyn on Dec. 12, 1924, he was the son of Mae Bossert and Russell S. Cooney. He grew up in Plandome, Long Island and in Waldoboro, attended Exeter Academy, and served in the U.S. Army in WWII in the European Theater. After the war, he entered Yale University and graduated in 1950. He worked as a securities analyst for Lord Abbett & Co. in New York City, and in 1973, he became Portfolio Manager of the newly established Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, one of the earliest funds to focus specifically on the over-the-counter market. After his retirement in 1987, he served as Trustee of Robertson Stephens Emerging Growth Fund.
Daniel’s family had long roots in Waldoboro, and he spent many of his happiest times there. He met his future wife and love of his life, Alice Knotts, at Lakehurst Dance Hall on Lake Pemaquid in Damariscotta, in the summer of 1948, and married her the following year, on July 9, 1949, in Falmouth. They spent 67 years together between Darien and Waldoboro, raising two daughters, many Norwich Terriers, and daylilies galore. He was devoted to and cared for his wife Alice, who predeceased him by nine months, over the last 25 years of her life when she was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Daniel had an infectious smile and a curious nature that endeared him to all. He had a deep love for Maine, and especially the Muscongus Bay, where he enjoyed exploring the islands on family picnics in his Boston Whaler or sailing or rowing in various water craft on the Broad Bay. He shared his wife’s passion for antiques, but his interest had a nautical focus, embracing everything from marine paintings, decoys, scrimshaw, and early rigging and sailmakers tools that he appreciated as much for their history as for their craftsmanship and beauty. His interests were vast and ever growing, ranging from planting a collection of daylilies and an orchard of plum trees to showing Norwich Terriers and making wine. But most of all, he was a gentleman of the old school in the truest sense.
Daniel was predeceased by his siblings, James S. Cooney, Barbara Cooney, and David C. Cooney.
He is survived by daughters, Rebecca T. Cooney and husband Tito Pizarro, and Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen and husband George L. K. Frelinghuysen, all of New York City; and grandsons, Henry O. H. Frelinghuysen of Stamford, Conn., and Russell S. C. Frelinghuysen of Asheville, N.C.
He will be buried along with his wife at a graveside service at Brookland Cemetery in Waldoboro on Sat., Aug. 12. A memorial service will be held in his honor at 11 a.m., Thurs., Sept. 7 at St. Luke’s Parish, 1864 Post Rd., Darien, Conn.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Daniel’s memory may be made to the Waldoboro Historical Society, 1164 Main St., Waldoboro, ME 04572, or to St. Luke’s Parish, 1864 Post Rd., Darien, CT 06820. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com.
