Wynantskill- Harry T. “Tom” Cooley, 91 of Route 43 in Wynantskill passed away peacefully in the hospice unit of the Stratton VA Hospital in Albany on June 25, 2014, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Born January 8, 1923, Tom was the son of Edmund and Marion Cooley of Tribes Hill, N.Y. and was a graduate of Amsterdam High School class of 1941, where he starred in both basketball and golf, which became a lifelong passion.

Mr. Cooley was just weeks away from celebrating 70 years with the love of his life Mildred “Mickey” Cooley also of Wynantskill. His surviving children include Pamela Neary of Washington, Iowa, Linda and her husband Robert McAuley of Omaha, Nebraska, Timothy Cooley of Wynantskill, Nancy and her husband Michael Dorr of North Greenbush and Mary Jo and her husband James Janis of Ballston Spa. Brother of the late Edmund A. (Marie) Cooley of Scotia. Eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren also survive.

When the United States entered World War II, Mr. Cooley enlisted in the Army Air Corps. After flight school, Tom was commissioned and served aboard the USS Ranger as a member of the 325th Fighter Wing. After several successful sorties against the enemy, Tom’s P-40 fighter jet was shot down off the coast of Tripoli in July of 1943. Near death, he was rescued from the Atlantic by friendly forces several days later. The extent of his injured were so severe that he spent the next two years in recovery. For his efforts Mr. Cooley received the Air Medal and two Purple Hearts.

Unable to return to flying status, Tom would soon leave the military and begin a career in radio and communications. After graduating from the State University of New York he opened his own business. Tom’s Radio and T.V. serviced the capital district for over 30 years until his retirement in the late 1980’s.

Despite being limited by his war wounds, Mr. Cooley was still a stellar athlete. He was a scratch golfer for most of his life, maintained a nearly 200 average in bowling and won numerous tournaments in pool, darts and hand ball. On behalf of the Cooley family, we would like to thank the staff and support team of the Stratton VA Medical Center. The quality of care and overall empathy they showed our family in our time of need was outstanding. Thank you.

Funeral from St. Henry’s Church, 17 Crystal Lake Rd. Averill Park, Tuesday July 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered. All are welcome to attend. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the church prior to the mass from 10-11 AM. Inurnment will follow the mass at 1:30 PM at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Stratton VA Medical Center Hospice Program 113 Holland Avenue Albany, NY 12208 in lieu of flowers.