- DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: March 10, 1934; Detroit, Michigan
- PARENTS: Michael Cooney and Elizabeth Dowdall Cooney (both deceased)
- FAMILY: Sisters: Mary A. Cooney (Retired teacher of the Detroit Public School System); Sister Leontia Cooney, O.P. (an Adrian Dominican); Brother: Reverend Michael Cooney (a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit)
- PRIESTLY ORDINATION: December 20, 1959
- EPISCOPAL ORDINATION: Appointed Titular Bishop of Hodelm and Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit on December 3, 1982 - Consecrated January 27, 1983; Appointed Bishop of Gaylord November 21, 1989 - Installed on January 28, 1990.
- SCHOOLS ATTENDED:
- Elementary: Saint Edward Elementary School, Detroit, Michigan (1940-1948)
- High School: Sacred Heart Seminary High School, Detroit, Michigan (1948-1952)
- College:
- Sacred Heart Seminary College, Detroit, Michigan (1952-1956)
B.A. with Major in Philosophy - Gregorian University, Rome
S.T.B. Degree (1956-1958)
S.T.L. Degree (1958-1960) - University of Notre Dame, Southbend, Indiana (1969-1973)
Master of Arts Degree in Liturgical Research
- Sacred Heart Seminary College, Detroit, Michigan (1952-1956)
- APPOINTMENTS SINCE ORDINATION:
- Assistant Pastor, Saint Catherine Parish, Detroit (1960-1962)
- Assistant Chancellor, Archdiocese of Detroit (1962-1969)
- Chaplain, Mercy College, Detroit (1967-1972)
- Director of Archdiocesan Department of Worship (1969-1983)
- Rector, Cathedral of Most Blessed Sacrament, Detroit (1977-1983)
- Titular Bishop of Hodelm/Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit (1983-1990)
- Chairman, Church in the City Task Force (1983-1990)
- Member/Consultor, USCCB Committee on Liturgy (1984-1996)
- Liaison to Catholic Chaplains of Region VI (1987-1991)
- Board of Directors of Notre Dame Liturgical Center (1987-1991)
- Board of Governors of North American College (1988-1994)
- Subcommittee of Bishops and Scholars (1988-1992)
- Chair, Subcommittee on Use of Exclusive Language in Liturgy (1989-1991)
- Chair, Subcommittee on Book of Blessings (1989-1991)
- Chair, Subcommittee on Cremation & Other Funeral Questions (1989-1993)
- Third Bishop of the Diocese of Gaylord (1990- )
- USCCB Committee on Laity (1990-1993)
- Member, National Institute for the Word of God Board (1993-1998)
- Board Member, Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit, MI (1993-1998)
- Member-At-Large, National Advisory Council (1995-1998)
- Co-chair, Roman Catholic Reformed Church Dialog (1998-2001)
- Member, Catholic Relief Services Board (2004- )