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Michael R. Cooney, a native Nebraskan and award-winning newspaperman, died Sept. 6 at his retirement home in Gold Canyon, Ariz. His death came 15 days short of his 70th birthday and after a 10-year battle with cancer.
Cooney had been an editor and reporter for the Arizona Republic (since 1996), the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (1969 to 1995) and The World-Herald (1962 to 1969).
After beginning his career at KCOW radio in Alliance, Neb., in 1959, Cooney worked at Nebraska newspapers in Norfolk and Lincoln. He was born in Grand Island, Neb., and grew up in Omaha. He graduated from Creighton Prep and majored in communications at Creighton University.
Cooney is survived by his wife of 44 years, Grace. Other survivors include his twin, Sister Norita Cooney of Omaha, president of the Sisters of Mercy West Midwest Community, and brothers Bob of Omaha and Jerry of Birmingham, Ala.
A memorial Mass was held Sept. 11 in Apache Junction, Ariz.
In addition to his career in journalism, Cooney had a variety of interests: reading, sports of all sorts, travel and playing cards and games.
Friends said his No. 1 sport was Cornhusker football, Creighton University basketball ran a close second, and Creighton Prep athletics was a third-place “show.”
He won numerous awards, including seven Minnesota Page One awards for writing and editing and, in 1992, Cowles Media Corp.’s President’s Award for meritorious service.
Cooney retired to Gold Canyon, but his retirement didn’t last long. He was asked to become the volunteer editor of the Gold Canyon Ledger, at that time a four-page mimeographed newsletter in the retirement community east of Phoenix. With Cooney as editor, the newsletter grew into a 28-page color magazine.
The Arizona Republic then hired Cooney to work on its sports desk.
When he retired again in 2003, he continued to contribute a Gold Canyon column for the Republic and added one for nearby Apache Junction. In addition, Cooney wrote for the MountainBrook Mountaineer, Gold Canyon Lifestyles and several Web sites.
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