23/09/2008
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Tributes have been paid to Newcastle councillor and former Lord Mayor Terry Cooney who passed away last week.

Councillor Cooney who was 73, died unexpectedly on Friday, 19 September following a heart operation.

He leaves a widow, Isabel, a former councillor and Alderman of Newcastle, and was father to daughters Hazel, a sitting councillor who represents the Benwell and Scotswood area of the city, Paula, Fiona and the late Judith.

Councillor Cooney was also grandfather to seven grandchildren. A member of the Labour party, Councillor Cooney represented the people of Fenham and Blakelaw and was involved in public life for 36 years.

During his political career Councillor Cooney was Lord Mayor from 1989 to 1990 and was a former chair of the city council’s Personnel Committee and Development Control Committee.

He was also the vice chair of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority where he represented the council for 20 years.

Councillor John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle City Council, led the tributes to Councillor Cooney.

He said: “The loss of Terry is very sad news. He was a stalwart of the Labour movement and spent 36 years as a councillor in Newcastle. He represented the residents of Fenham and Blakelaw so well over so many years and was hugely respected by everyone.

“He was a senior member of the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority and was known as a regular participant on local radio programmes. His love of Newcastle and its people shone through and we shall miss greatly his wisdom in council debates.

“He was Lord Mayor between 1989 and 1990 and did an outstanding job representing the city as our first citizen.”

Councillor Nick Forbes, Leader of Newcastle City Council’s Labour Group, said: “Terry was an active member of the Council and the community. He was a battler - he stood up for others in his role as a Councillor. There was nothing he didn’t know about Fenham, the ward he has represented on the Council since 1983. Terry always put other people first - despite some health problems in recent years, he continued to work as hard as ever. The fact that he insisted on chairing a meeting just hours before a major operation shows his dedication to public service.

“Personally I am very sad to lose Terry as a close colleague and friend. My thoughts and best wishes are with his whole family at this very difficult time.”

Councillor Cooney’s funeral will take place at 10.30am at St Robert’s RC Church in Fenham on Friday, 26 September and will continue at 11.30am at West Road Crematorium.