About this item

Tom Cooney is a calm, good-natured man with a keen sense of responsibility, which is probably why he devoted his entire life to public service. After he completed a tour of duty in the army, Cooney's dream of becoming a New York City fireman came true in 1959, when he was sworn in and issued lucky badge #711. For 20 years he would faithfully serve the people of New York. During those years he also had a part-time chauffeuring job driving for William F. Buckley Jr., who was, among other things, editor of the National Review, a syndicated columnist, author, and host of Firing Line. In 1997, Cooney retired to enjoy his golden years with Edie, his wife of 43 years. But on September 11, 2001, he knew he had to help. Cooney would spend ten to twelve hours a day at Ground Zero during the recovery process.