Obituaries

Funeral Held for New Canaan Boy, 23 Months, Victim of Driveway Car Accident

Hundreds attended the funeral Wednesday for Declan Leo Cooney, who died Friday in a car accident in the driveway of his home.

The funeral for Declan Leo Cooney, the 23-month-old boy who died as the result of a car accident in the driveway of his New Canaan home, was held Wednesday night with 500 attending the service in St. Aloysius Church.

His mother was "the center of his life—until he spotted a familiar figure coming up the walk. Daddy was home and everything stopped,” the boy's grandfather, Leo Cooney, said during the service, the New Canaanite reported.

New Canaan police have not released details about the accident on Mill Road that resulted in  Declan Cooney's death. In a brief news release last weekend, police said the boy "was struck when a vehicle was attempting to back out of the driveway." The driver has not been identified by police.

Celentano Funeral Home published this obituary Wednesday for Cooney:

Declan Leo Cooney, age 23 months, of New Canaan, died suddenly on June 6, 2014 in Norwalk Hospital.  Born in New Haven on June 19, 2012, he was the beloved son of Josh and Jude Cooney of New Canaan.

He is also survived by three sisters, Lydon, Keira and Niamh Cooney and a brother, Teddy Cooney; grandparents Leo and Kathleen Cooney of New Haven; Steve and Cindy Whitaker of Watertown; and his very special friend, his great grandfather, Edward Walsh.

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Declan was a blessing, funny, happy and joyful, with a smile that could light up the world. He loved his trains and cars, and playing outside with his brother and sisters.

He loved music and dancing, and he loved hockey, but most of all, he loved his family.

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He took delight in their baseball, soccer and lacrosse games; their family dinners; their warm and loving community of friends; all his many cousins, aunts and uncles; and great aunts and uncles. 

He was generous with his hugs, and always seemed to know when someone needed one. He had a loving nature, and when his soft brown eyes reached out to you, or when he learned your name, you knew you were special to Declan.

He was so loved by so many who will cherish each moment he had on this earth, and who will remember every day what a wonderful boy he was.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 40 Maple St., New Canaan. Interment will be private.





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