Norman Cooney will be honored by the Ohio State Former Boxers and Associates, Inc. with a Life Time Achievement Award at the association’s Hall of Fame Awards Dinner. Cooney views the achievement to be a great honor. “It is a great honor. One of the most auspicious days of my life,” Cooney said. One of the activities Cooney enjoys includes transporting puppies from puppy mills to Canada or Pennsyvania where they will enjoy a better life.
Cooney worked at Foster Wheeler Construction Company for 15 years. He retired in 1989.He volunteers his time at local hospitals as well as being involved in the VFW and American Legion. Cooney has served five years in active duty with the U.S. Air Force where he received a Purple Heart Medal. He also served 27 years in the Air National Guard. Cooney also enjoys helping out with pee wee baseball leagues and football. As a member of the Italian American Club and the Irish American Club, Cooney serves as secretary for each organization.
Cooney, who is 83, began his boxing career at St. Ignatius High School and CYO High Chair Boxing Tournament. He won the tournament for the 90 pound division; 112 pound division; and the 126 pound division. While attending Cathedral Latin High School, Cooney continued his boxing career winning the 147 pound division and 160 pound division Intramural Championship at the school. Cooney has a total of 87 amateur fights and he won the Cleveland Golden Gloves in 1947 and 1950.
While attending Boston College, he continued his boxing career and he had 14 Intercollegiate bouts, winning all the bouts. During his professional boxing career, Cooney fought the famous welterweight Chuck Davey. As a professional boxer, Cooney fought 17 fights, winning 15 fights, 1 draw and 1 fight no contest. During Cooney’s boxing career, he was trained by the renonwned trainer Johnny Papke and Lou Parker. After many years of working at Foster Wheeler Construction Company, he retired from the company in 1989. Cooney is a widower and he was married to his wife, Marguerite, for 39 years. He has three children including two sons Michael and Richard who are deceased; and a daughter, Cynthia. He enjoys biking and walking in his spare time.