John "Jack" James Cooney

Jack was born in Acton on March 9, 1922. His mother was Marie Marcella Kennedy… his father Jim (James Joseph) had returned from fighting in WW1, just a few years prior. Jack lived with his family at 27 Main St. S. Acton. As many Acton boys did, Jack worked at Beardmore Tannery and as many boys did, as soon as he could, he enlisted in the service….eager to do his part for the war effort.

Jack served with the Highland Light Infantry in Canada and the United Kingdom, returning home early due to stomach problems…likely an ulcer.

Upon his discharge, Jack moved in with Bus Chisholm and his parents on Mason Blvd. for a short while, as both of his parents were deceased. His father having died in 1935, prior to his enlistment and his mother in 1941, while he was overseas.

Jack married Mary Turkosz in 1948 (her brothers John, Peter and George all served in WW2) and worked as a plasterer after the war and then at Micro Plastics (Building Products) until his retirement. Jack and Mary lived at 114 Guelph St. (later renamed Poplar Ave) in 1957 and later at 95 Longfield Rd. Acton. Jack died on July 15, 2002 and is buried at Fairview Cemetery, Acton.

Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on. *Information provided by Jim Cooney and from Ancestry.ca

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