Dr. Robert F. Cooney, 79, of Wareham, passed away August 4 at Tobey Hospital surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Born in Providence, RI, Robert was the son of the late Judge John P. and Margaret (Fitzgerald) Cooney.

He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, class of 1955, and Tufts Medical School in 1959. He was a member of the Holy Cross Varsity Club and a 2012 inductee into the Holy Cross Athletic Hall of Fame.

Dr. Cooney practiced medicine at the 2nd General Hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, while serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps as a captain. He joined the Falmouth OB/GYN practice upon his return to the United States in 1966, where he practiced for more than 40 years. Robert was a communicant and active parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in Wareham, and a Grand Knight of the former Knights of Columbus Fr. Francis Callahan Council #4139. He was also a published author of the history of the Holy Cross Varsity Club, “Lift High the Cross”.

Bob adored his wife of 54 years, Marie (Skehan) of Houlton, ME. He was the proud father of 11 children: Mary Crossman and husband, Daren, of Middleboro, Robert and Joan Cooney, Tim Cooney, Kathleen Braley and husband, Ralph, and Carol Spenard and husband, Ken, all of Wareham, Teresa Mattson and husband, Wayne, of Marion, Dan Cooney and Gail Denis of Dartmouth, Marie Blotner and husband, Joe, of Carver, Terry and Dilly Cooney of Erwin, NC, John Cooney of Milford and Anne Fihlman and husband, Erik, of Bethlehem, PA and the beloved grandfather of 24 grandchildren.

Dr. Cooney is the brother of the Michael Cooney, Terence Cooney, James Cooney, Kathleen Puchalla, Agnes Chretien, Anne Cooney, and Edward Cooney all from Rhode Island. He was predeceased by his brothers John and Patrick, and sisters Margaret and Clara.

Visiting hours will be Wednesday, August 8 at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a funeral Mass on Thursday, August 9, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High St in Wareham. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Patrick's Parish Center Renovation Campaign, c/o St. Patrick's Church, P.O. Box 271, Wareham, MA 02571. For directions and online guestbook, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com.