As a 6-foot-4 center, Jack was a three-year starter on the
basketball team. In his senior year he was the leading scorer and served as a
captain of the team.
Jack was also a three-year varsity baseball player. As a pitcher,
he was considered the ace of the staff during his senior year. In May of his
senior year, Jack joined the Navy to start serving in July after graduation.
After going to New Haven to be sworn in, he immediately returned to a game
already in the fifth inning. It was a close game and Jack was called on to take
the mound in the sixth inning, holding the opposition to zero hits, striking
out five and walking only one.
After the Navy, Jack attended Teachers College and Porter School
of Design. He worked at New Britain Machine for 41 years. While working there
he played in the New Britain Industrial Basketball League, winning the title
two years in a row. He led the league in scoring while playing for the Ram
Jets. He also played in the Industrial Volleyball League, garnering individual
scoring honors.
Jack passed away in December of 1987. He was married to Bette
Fusaro Cooney for 36 years, and they had three children –Kevin, Craig, and
Colleen –five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. His grandson, Jack
Wagoner, is a pitcher and plays professional baseball in the Cleveland Indians
minor league system.