John Patrick Cooney

The family of John Patrick Cooney shares, with profound sorrow, the news of his passing on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the age of 75, after a courageous battle with cancer. John’s legacy lives on through his devoted wife of 52 years, Lizbeth, and their children: John, Patrick (Margot), Virginia (Stewart), and his grandchildren Wade, Watson, Eve, Olivia and Gigi. He is also lovingly remembered by his siblings Gary, Nancy, Peggy, Kelly, and Robert, as well as by his many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Patricia Cooney, and his sister, Mary Jane Williams.

Born on September 13, 1949, in Houston, Texas, John moved with his family to Birmingham, Alabama, in 1955 when his father co-founded Stonewall Insurance, an excess and surplus lines insurance company. At the age of 14, John began working for Stonewall Insurance and attended John Carroll Catholic High School. By 18, he was already an executive underwriter and had enrolled at Samford University, where he earned a degree in Finance.

In January 1972, John married the love of his life, Lizbeth, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. With her unwavering support, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, founding his first business, E&S Midwest, in Minnesota in 1978. While building this business John recognized a larger opportunity to consolidate access to specialty carriers, which would ultimately revolutionize the wholesale insurance industry.

In 1982, John founded Cooney, Rikard, and Curtin (CRC) and served as Chairman and CEO until its acquisition by BB&T in 2002. Under his leadership, CRC grew into the largest independently owned wholesale insurance agency in the United States. His impact extended beyond CRC, as many of its executives went on to build competing firms, further cementing John’s influence on the industry.

Although John achieved significant success in business, it was only one facet of his remarkable life. A devout and deeply spiritual man, he incorporated prayer into all aspects of his life and cherished time spent with family and friends. Known for his outgoing personality, John forged lasting friendships across the globe.

John was also passionate about giving back, particularly to Alzheimer’s research, a cause close to his heart after his mother’s battle with the disease. He served on the board of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation, supporting innovative research to find cures for Alzheimer’s and other degenerative brain diseases.

John Patrick Cooney was truly one of a kind. His legacy endures through the countless lives he touched, his loving family, and his unwavering faith. We celebrate that he now rests in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and we hold onto the hope of being reunited with him one day. The family will hold a visitation on Tuesday, December 17, at 4:00 p.m., followed by Prayer of the Rosary at 6:00 p.m. A second visitation will take place on Wednesday, December 18, at 9:00 a.m., with the Funeral Mass to follow at 10:00 a.m. all at The Cathedral of St. Paul, 2120 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203.

Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205.879.3401) in Homewood.