Guestbook

Condolences and Reflections for
Pat Cooney
Deputy Chief
State of California - Office of Emergency Services

July 30, 2003

"Another Hero has joined the ranks of Angels in Heaven..."

I would like to express my condolences on the loss of your loved one, Pat. I can sympathize with your sorrow, having lost loved ones myself in death. From reading his condolences, I can see that Pat was very much loved and well respected by his friends and family. In spite of all the grief that comes with the death of a loved one, I have found great comfort in Gods promise of a resurrection. I would like to share that comforting promise with you. The Bible makes the promise: “Your dead ones will live . . . They will rise up.” And the Bible also says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—[Isaiah 26:19; Psalm 37:29]. Yes, Almighty God has not only the power but also the desire to resurrect persons whom he chooses. Jesus Christ himself said: “Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”—[John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15]. You may not have confidence in the resurrection at this time, but a consideration of these scriptures will help you to see as the Bible says, you will “not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13) Rather, the Bible promises that “God himself will sustain you.”—Psalm 55:22. If you would like to discuss God's precious promise of the resurrection in more detail, please feel free to e-mail me. I would be glad to hear from you. In any event, please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
Mike Darling <mwdarling@hotmail.com>
Buctouche, New Brunswick Canada - Tuesday, December 30, 2003 at 11:08:33 (PST)

I am so happy to have been your neighbor and I love you, Teri, Colleen, Mike & Pat! I couldn't have asked for better people to have as friends, as you will always be. Pat had a wonderful smile and demeanor and we all will miss him so much. We are thankful for the days we had together. I bet Pat and Jim are talking about yardwork & stuff in Heaven, where I KNOW they are. Please have peace and know that he is in a good place now. I know it. Lots of love, Jeri (Banning)
Jeri Banning <jeri.s.banning@intel.com>
Folsom, CA USA - Thursday, August 14, 2003 at 04:36:58 (PDT)

Words are poor things when you suffer such a loss. Still, all of us in the CDF Southern Region want to convey our desire, however inadequate, to offer consolation.
Tim Turner, CDF Southern Region Chief <tim.turner@fire.ca.gov>
Fresno, CA USA - Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at 15:42:28 (PDT)

My deepest condolences to the Cooney Family. I worked with Pat for several years before I left the OES - fire and rescue branch. Pat was always a friend and a mentor of the fire family. My prayers and good will is to you Teri and the rest of your family. Pat will be missed as a leader, friend, and family member. My department as well as the entire fire family wishes you the best. God be with you.
Michael Antonucci <Mafire@aol.com>
California City, CA USA - Monday, August 11, 2003 at 12:17:04 (PDT)

The members of Mariposa County Fire Department and I wish to add our thoughts and prayers to Pat's family and want you to know that Pat made this world a better place for his being here. We will miss him!
Blaine Shultz <bshultz@mariposacounty.org>
Mariposa, CA USA - Sunday, August 10, 2003 at 18:53:20 (PDT)

Terri, Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you. Give the kids a hug and if you need anything call. Pat was my Division Chief on the Saugus Ranger District in the 80's and part time fishing buddy, though we never caught alot of fish we always had a great time. Pat was a good man and always had a way to bring a smile to every one's face and bring the best out of them.
Bill & Patti Pierce <wpierce@fs.fed.us>
Carson city, nv USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 23:20:28 (PDT)

The wildland fire service lost a great leader and mentor to all, from Chiefs to "drag McLeod". Pat left his positive mark on many up and comers with Forest Service fire people over his 35+ years with the Green shirts. He continued that performance of excellence and pride while with the CA OES. He was my first boss and fellow crewmen in 1962,1963. Pat was also my best amigo. His fire was extinguished too quickly. Prayers and thoughts are with Terri, Mike and Colleen.
dave kohut <snfchief@comcast.net>
clovis, ca USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 12:23:32 (PDT)

I received an e-mail from Maude Norris the other day and have been thinking about the great times that Pat and the guys had together while on the San Bernardino/Angeles N.F. It saddens me deeply to hear the news. My thoughts are with the family. I will never forget you Pat, a friend forever!
Jim Berner <dixieb@psnw.com>
North Fork, ca USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 09:27:16 (PDT)

I have worked with Pat on several mutual aid fires and with him in the Wildland Fire Safety Officers conference and he has always promoted a light hearted but serious attitude and has always has been an inspiration to me as a professional firefighter. The Fire Service has truly lost one of its most admirable champions and he will be greatly missed. From all of the firefighters in Kings County, our prayers and condolences to Pat's family.
Gary B. Curtis <gcurtis@co.kings.ca.us>
Hanford, CA USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 08:21:35 (PDT)

Pat has been my friend for 40 years. We have worked and played together. He is one of those people that will always be with me even though I won't be able to see or touch him. When Pat gets settled at the big EOC in the sky, I'm sure he will have a solution to improve checkin and demob. At least he did on the Tiller Fire last year. Pat, remember, I'll glue the golf ball on the limb on the fairway for you. Love, Bob
Bob Alvord <robert@eoni.com>
La Grande, OR USA - Thursday, August 07, 2003 at 07:42:36 (PDT)

Pat will always make me smile whenever I think about him. His ability to brighten the day will live on in all our memories. No matter what color uniform he wore, he was always a supportive friend to me, and the So. Cal. Edison Company. Thank you Pat.
Troy Whitman, Edison Fire Mgmt <troy.whitman@sce.com>
Rosemead, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 16:34:42 (PDT)

I am saddened to learn of Pat's passing. I have known him for over ten years and he always made me laugh when I talked with him. I worked with him on SEMs /ICS issues and he was one of the most knowledgeable people I know in these areas. His knowledge and experience is a great loss for the California Fire Service. His friendly smile and demeanor is a loss for everyone.
Mike Richwine <mike.richwine@fire.ca.gov>
sacramento, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 16:06:25 (PDT)

As many others have already said, Pat was one of the finest Fire Service professionals I have had the pleasure to work with. I will miss his cheerful greetings, his sense of humor, and most importantly his expertise and counsel. My heartfelt condolences to Teri and the family, and also to his co-workers in the Fire and Rescue Branch. We will all miss him, both as a fellow professional and as a friend.
Don Root <Don_Root@oes.ca.gov>
Sacramento, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 15:13:54 (PDT)

Throughout my career in the fire services I've had the opportunity to meet a large number of people. I can truly say that Pat was among the list of people that I feel honored to have met. Pat always had a smile and a nice word to say to you. I didn't know him as well as some, but I'll miss him just as much.
STEVE HUTCHISON <STEVE.HUTCHISON@FIRE.CA.GOV>
SACRAMENTO, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 13:52:48 (PDT)

I had the privilege to work with Pat as an Emergency Hire at OES Fire...and to share "beans" with him on numerous occassions. The fire service, and humanity, has lost one of "the best of the best". Thanks for the memories, stories and advice Pat, you will be sorely missed by many.
Don Stabler <911dj@prodigy.net>
Stockton, Ca USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 13:30:47 (PDT)

I had the pleasure of meeting this fine man in just this past year at a training session he helped instruct. From the moment I heard him talk about fire, I was awestruck. I wish I could have known him longer but I am the better person for knowing him at all. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.
Robert Blais <rblaisjr58@aol.com>
Atwater, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 12:00:40 (PDT)

I had the pleasure of working with Chief Conney right after the 9-11 incident. I, along with others from the Marin County USAR were sent to Sacramento as part of an Incidnet Management team. I did not know Pat at the time however, he made me and my co-workers feel right at home and eased the pain of being an outsider. He got me throught the tough times showed me the right direction when I was off course. My deepest sympathy to his family, friends and co-workers at OES. You will be missed Pat. I salute you! God Bless.
Chris Wikeen <cwikeen@novatofire.org>
Novato, Ca USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 11:48:42 (PDT)

I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Pat for the past 10 years having met him when he was the IC on the fire team. He contributed so much to our business over his distinguished career. He made me feel as if I had known him forever on the first day we met. His accomodating style made him the ideal ambassador for OES, and that smile would melt your heart. Pat I will miss our verbal jousting and your quick wit. My deepest concolences to Teri and family. I will miss you Brother.
Marc Hawkins <marchawkins@ocfa.org>
Mission Viejo, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 11:41:08 (PDT)

I am sad to say that I only worked with Pat for a few years because I wish it could of been longer. He was someone who could always light up your day with his smile and laughter. As one of my supervisor I worked closely with him on many projects and it will be hard to not see his face in the office everyday. He will be missed greatly. Condolence to his family. Your loss is our loss.
Bahia Abdallah <bahia_abdallah@oes.ca.gov>
Sacramento, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 11:11:31 (PDT)

On behalf of the officers and members of the City of Merced, our thoughts and condolences to the family and OES staff, for the loss of one of the truly "good guys" within the fire service. Pat, you will be missed.
Ken Mitten <mittenkcityofmerced.org >
merced, ca USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 10:56:45 (PDT)

On behalf of the officers and members of the City of Merced, our thoughts and condolences to the family and OES staff, for the loss of one of the truly "good guys" within the fire service.
Ken Mitten <mittenkcityofmerced.org >
merced, ca USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 10:55:43 (PDT)

I met Chief Cooney a few years before taking a position at OES. I thought then, what a great guy! Now that I have had the opportunity to work for him the last few years, I think, he was the best of the best! He influenced my life for the better. We had great conversations about everything, the best where about family, of which he was very proud of. My condolences to them, their loss is our loss, and our loss is huge. Leader, Chief, mentor, confidant, father figure, friend. Good friend, always positive with the radiating contagious smile and outlook. I will miss you more than word can express. Friends forever, Marvin
Marvin Howard <marvin.howard@os.ca.gov>
Santa Rosa, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 10:51:03 (PDT)

Pat called me “bub” because some folks in the branch cannot pronounce my last name to this day. He was my supervisor and they do not come any better than Pat. His work ethics and fairness to those he supervised will never be duplicated. He was a firefighter from the ground up, a listener, advisor, mentor and brought a steadfast calm demeanor to every situation. He was a cooperator in the truest spirit. He authored the California Incident Command Certification System as we know it today and saw it through to its implementation on behalf of local government. He read everything he could get his hands on with regards to firefighter safety and getting the word out to prevent repeated mishaps. He kept me out of trouble. He was my best friend and supervisor and it doesn’t get any better than that. I’m sure the first thing he asked at the gates of heaven was: “You folks have a red card system here?” Pat flew air attack out of Fox for many years. I’m sure he would want us to do one thing for the rest of our careers: “Load and return”
Bill Bondshu <Bill.Bondshu@oes.ca.gov>
Mariposa, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 10:39:28 (PDT)

On behalf of myself, my staff and all of the members of the Kern County Fire Department, our sympathy and thoughts are with Pat's family. The fire service has lost a great leader.
Steve Gage <sgage@co.kern.ca.us>
Bakersfield, Ca USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 10:25:48 (PDT)

Pat is a friend and a mentor. Having worked with him for the past 3 years I know that I have become better for having known him. I also know that I will never have Mexican Food or a Banana Cream Pie without thinking of him.
Tim Tribble <tcomm_specialist@yahoo.com>
Sacramento, CA USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 10:18:51 (PDT)

I worked with Pat for several years. I could always count on him making my day a happy one. He had such a good outlook on life. He will be missed and I extend my condolences to his family.
Ramon Manzo <ramon.manzo@oes.ca.gov>
moreno valley, ca USA - Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 07:25:05 (PDT)

To the Cooney Family our deepest sympathy. Billnd Mary Frogue
Mary and Bill Frogue <sicilliangal@aol.com>
Riverside, Ca USA - Monday, August 04, 2003 at 21:35:10 (PDT)

To put in the simplest of terms, Pat was a good guy. I enjoyed working beside him on fires because he was always up and confident. He even made cost apportionment meetings pleasant. To Pat's family I offer my sincere condolences and prayers. I know that Pat is sitting at the table in heaven reserved for heroes. He was one of mine.
Tim Sappok <tim.sappok@fire.ca.gov>
Crestline, CA USA - Monday, August 04, 2003 at 16:23:48 (PDT)

Chief Cooney was a firefighter's Chief. He was one of OES' best and will be sorely missed by all who had the privelege of knowing him. My heartfelt condolences to his immediate and extended family and may God watch over and protect them. Rest in peace Pat, I'll miss you.
Tom Drayer <tdrayer@fire.ca.gov>
Moreno Valley, CA USA - Monday, August 04, 2003 at 13:56:58 (PDT)

My deepest condolences to Pat's family, friends, and co-workers. Not only has the Fire Family lost another hero, but we have all lost a friend. Pat will surely be remembered...
Brian Kornegay <oneputt@pacific.net>
Ukiah, CA USA - Monday, August 04, 2003 at 13:44:04 (PDT)