Thomas Cooley, Sr.

Thomas J. Cooley, Sr. of Brunswick, 85, passed into eternal rest on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 surrounded by his loving family following a brief illness.  Thomas was the son of the late Willard and Teresa (Kelly) Cooley.  Tom and his wife and best friend Beverly (Burns) just celebrated 60 years of marriage. Tom is the proud father of five children:   Mary Ellen  Adams (Jay) of Troy, Lisa Dillon (Steve) of Clifton Park, Thomas Cooley Jr. (Christine) of Poestenkill, Mary Beth Bruno of Brunswick, Ann Marie Burns (Ed) of Latham and 15 grandchildren:   Lauren Fitzpatrick (Ryan), Brian Adams, Shawn Adams (Samantha Rosen), Thomas Cooley III (Katie), Dr. Catherine Hixson (Nick), Alex Cooley, Ryan Burns, Patrick Burns, Eileen Burns, Daniel Burns, Liza Bruno, Anna Bruno, Matt Dillon, Sean Dillon and Megan Dillon; and three great-grandchildren:   Finnegan, Benjamin and Elijah.

Tom was born in Green Island, a graduate of LaSalle Institute Class of ’49 and earned three degrees from Siena College in 1953, ’63 and 66.  He was a member of the Siena basketball team and an avid Saints fan.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army working in the Pentagon during the Korean War.  He was the Comptroller of Manning Paper Company in Green Island.   Tom was Chairman of the Board for Thomas Stanley Associates in Ballston Spa since 2006 and a member of the Troy Emerald Club.  He was a lifelong communicant of St. Patrick’s Church in Troy until its closing in 2010.

Tom had a very full life with many adventures but his greatest joy came from the times he spent with his family and participating in the activities of his children and grandchildren.   He shared a special bond with each grandchild and never missed attending their sporting events.   His quick wit and unique humor will live forever in their hearts and the hearts of everyone he met.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Tom’s wonderful life on Sunday, June 18, 2017 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the McLoughlin & Mason Funeral Home, corner of 109th Street and Third Avenue, Lansingburgh. Funeral mass will be celebrated on 9:30 am Monday, June 19, 2017 at St. Augustine’s Church, Troy. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Troy.  Memorial donations in memory of Thomas J. Cooley, Sr. may be made to Joseph House & Shelter 74 Ferry Street, Troy, NY 12182 www.jospehshousetroy.org. Please visit www.mcloughlinmason.com.