http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/northjersey/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=139504023
Denis Patrick SWEENY
SWEENY Denis Patrick, 77, of Emerson, found eternal peace on Thursday, February 4, 2010.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Eileen M. (nee Kelly); six children: Eileen K. Miller of Murphy, TX; Brenda Diana of Wellesley, MA; Patrick J. Sweeny of Hawthorne, CA; Denis P. Sweeny of River Edge; Mary P. Coyne of Livingston; and John P. Sweeny of Union. Also fourteen grandchildren: Robert and Henry Miller; Owen and Angeline Diana; Caroline, Kevin and Denis P. Sweeny; Kelly, John, Megan, Mary Bridget (Maisy) and Gavin Coyne; and Nikolas and Nina Sweeny. Also three sons-in-law: Larry Miller, Peter Diana, and Thomas Coyne; and two daughters-in-law: Kristine Sweeny and Adriana Sweeny. He is also survived by six sisters: Joan Sweeny, Helen Sweeny, Mary Healy, Rita Kenny, Nora L’Eplattnier and Deborah Hirsch; two brothers: Paul Sweeny, and Timothy Sweeny and numerous nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.Denis was the fifth of the fourteen children of the late John P. and Helen (nee Hays) Sweeny.
His father was a former teacher at Manhattan College and a noted criminal attorney in New York City. He was also predeceased by two brothers Dr. John P. Sweeny, a WWII-Korean War-Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War veteran; Michael F. Sweeny, a WWII and Korean veteran and retired NY State Police Sergeant; and three sisters Patricia Malach, Brigid Conroy, and Priscilla Sweeny.And he was also predeceased by his beloved mother-in-law, Betty Kelly, who had to leave her home in County Roscommon, Ireland and emigrated to New York City when she was 16 years old. She later sent for her younger sister, Mary Hora. Both worked for many years at Schrafft’s Restaurants in New York. Betty and Mary were a big part of Eileen’s and the grandchildren’s lives. There were no mother-in-law jokes in our family. We were blessed.
Born and raised in New York City, he was educated in parochial schools and De La Salle High School. Denis enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and served most of his time as a radar operator on the USS Latimer APA-152 in the Atlantic Fleet until 1953. He was a Radarman 3/c.Denis and Eileen were married on Feb. 1, 1958, and moved to New Milford. They bought a home in Emerson in June 1960 and by June 1969 filled it with six wonderful children.
They have been parishioners of Assumption R.C. Church since June 1960.In May 1957 he went to work as an apprentice printer/proofreader in the Composing Room of the Bergen Evening Record, Hackensack. He switched to night work in June of 1958 to apprentice all facets of composing. In his 35 year career he advanced to Composing Room Manager, Mail Room Manager and Pressroom Manager and retired as Production Manager on Dec. 31, 1992.Since retiring Mr. Sweeny has worked part-time for BBZ Limousine Service of Bergenfield as a chauffeur.
Visiting will be at the Anthony R. Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave., Northvale (201-767-3050) on Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Church of the Assumption, Emerson, Wednesday at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, NY.In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Columban Fathers, Covenant House NYC, or the Maryknoll Fathers.
Published in The Record and Herald News on February 7, 2010
# – # – #
[JR: An obit with a MC connection. 51 year marriage. And all those Irish connections, has to a Jasper in there somewhere?]
# # # # #
Dear John,
I worked with Denis’ sister Rita Kenney (a great lady!). They are related to the legendary Francis “Doc” Sweeny, ’16 who is a member of the Manhattan College Hall of Fame, and I believe that their cousin, Stephen Sweeny,’71 is President of the College of New Rochelle.
May He Rest In Peace.
Mike
McEneney, Mike (MC1953)
[JR: Thanks, Mike. Much appreciated that you can confirm my hunch.]
# # # # #
