PROVIDENCE – Edward J. Cooney, senior vice president and treasurer of Nortek Inc., has died, the company announced Thursday.
Cooney, 65, had joined Nortek as vice president and treasurer in 2001 and was appointed senior vice president in 2011.
“Beyond the enormous professional contributions he made to our corporate success, Ed Cooney was a mentor, a trusted adviser and a great friend to me and many of us here at Nortek,” said Michael J. Clarke, Nortek’s president and CEO, in prepared remarks. “Ed was a tremendous family man and loyal citizen of Rhode Island who garnered widespread respect from all who knew him. He will be sorely missed here and beyond the company. The board of directors and everyone at Nortek extends our heartfelt condolences to Ed’s family and friends.”
Cooney’s wife, Mary, said he died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, according to an email sent by Laurie White, president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, and Jon Duffy, chairman of the Chamber’s board. Cooney served as the chair of the Chamber’s board from 2008 to 2010.
Cooney was also founder and chairman of Engage RI, a group of businesspeople and nonprofit leaders who came together to advocate for changes to the state employee pension system and which has continued as an advocacy group for “sound policy decisions in the Rhode Island General Assembly,” according to its website.
Nortek’s website notes that prior to joining the company, Cooney served as the executive vice president of sales and marketing at Amtrol Inc. and also as senior vice president and CFO. He was a director of A.T. Cross Co. and Gilbane Inc.
A certified public accountant, Cooney earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree in taxation from Bryant University.
