Opinion

JOHN J. “SEAN” COURTNEY, 74

CHAMPION OF THE UNDERDOG, JOHN J. “SEAN” COURTNEY, 74

John J. Courtney Esq. lost his life after a brave battle with emphysema and lung cancer. Mostly known as “Sean,” he earned his B.A. in Liberal Arts and Juris Doctor from St. John’s College and Law School in Brooklyn, N.Y., in June 1960, receiving special recognition as an Intern to District Attorney Frank Hogan, N.Y. County.

His experience spanned fifty-eight years during which time he successfully conducted litigation in a variety of high-profile personal injury criminal and miscellaneous venues, achieving favorable resolution of complex, often difficult-to-win cases; practicing before administrative boards and arbitrators and attained numerous credits in all phases of civil and criminal litigation in state and federal court.

For years, Sean was an Associate and Trial Attorney with Sharf, Mackell & Hellenbrand in Queens, N.Y. Their practice extended to every field of law and was the most prominent firm in Queens County. Clientele ranged from the most impoverished to the most well-known. Eventually, Sean became a Solo Practitioner handling every type of litigation in all NYS and Federal Courts in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Rockland Counties. He was a true champion of the underdog.

Sean’s military career was also distinguished. In the U.S. Army’s Intelligence Division he specialized in code-breaking and was recalled by President Kennedy to assist during the Bay of Pigs Invasion.

Sean was fun-loving and was proud of his home in the hamlet of Aquebogue, “Court’s Resort,” which he shared with his lifetime partner, the former Kathleen Wojciechowski, whom he recently married. He was blessed with a sharp Irish wit and, in fact, authored his own epitaph: Up until today, I outlived everyone I ever met. Not bad.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his beloved stepdaughter, MaryJane; sister Mary Courtney-Reichart; nephews and niece William, Peter and Christine Courtney; and finally, his loyal companion, Buddy the Pug.

Visiting will be at the De Friest-Grattan Funeral Home, Thursday, July 28, 5 to 9 p.m., Interment will be July 29 at Calverton National Cemetery; reception immediately following at the Meetinghouse Creek Inn, Aquebogue.

In lieu of flowers, kindly send donations in his name, Sean Courtney Esq., to:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island (BBBSLI)
c/o Mark Cox, Director of Development
The E. David Woycik Jr. Building
70 Acorn Lane
Levittown, NY 11756.

This is a paid notice.