Dennis J. Cooney

Dennis J. Cooney, affectionately known as “DJ,” age 84, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, 2026.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, on November 9, 1941, he was a son of the late Patrick and Evelyn (Corsack) Cooney. Dennis was one of twelve, which included 4 sets of twins and 4 singles. His siblings were Theresa, Joseph, Evelynn, Jean, Jack, Mary, Billy, Jerry, Patrick, Bonnie, Anne.

Dennis proudly served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years, including 1 tour in Laos and Cambodia and 1 tour in Vietnam and various duty stations in France, Turkey, Spain and Germany, including various stateside duty stations.

Following his military retirement, he pursued his entrepreneurial spirit by establishing a successful, upholstery business in Missouri, which he later continued in Elkton, Maryland. Dennis had a love for animals and was a member of various VFW posts and the American Legion.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Andrea Cooney. Dennis is survived by his daughters, Bernadette Cooney-Ball (Rich) and Maureen Cooney-Hamilton; grandson, Liam; siblings, Patrick Cooney, Anne Coyle (Ed) and Bonnie Esposito (Bruce); nephew, Vincent Cooney (Deb); cousins, Joseph Lusi Sr., Maria Lusi; and many more cousins, and 33 nieces and nephews along with many friends.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 11:30 am on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11:30 am.  A committal service will follow in the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dennis’ memory to the National League of POW/MIA Families, 901 North Glebe Road, 5th Floor, Unit 116 Arlington, VA, 22203 or online by clicking here.