The Life of Daniel J. Courtenay
Daniel J. Courtenay, 82, of Wyomissing, formerly of Kutztown, and Queens Village, NY, died January 27, 2009 in The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, West Reading, where he was admitted earlier in the day. He was the husband of Mary A. (O’Hearn) Courtenay. They were married June 11, 1949.
Born June 30, 1926 in New York City, he was a son of the late John W. and Anna (Ossenfort) Courtenay. He was a member of Saint Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, West Lawn and a former member of Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Kutztown.
He was a US Navy veteran of World War II.
Daniel began his career with the New York City Police Department on December 19, 1947 as a patrol officer. In 1957 he was promoted to sergeant, thus beginning a steady rise through the ranks. His assignments over a span of thirty-five years included command positions within the Organized Crime Control Bureau, Operations Division, Patrol Services, Narcotics Division, Tactical Patrol Force and Bronx Detectives.
In 1976 Courtenay was designated Police Coordinator for the Democratic National Convention. Chief Courtenay was named the commanding officer, Patrol Borough, Manhattan South, where he oversaw the daily activities of ten police precincts.
In October 1979 he was promoted to Chief, Organized Crime Control Bureau by Police Commissioner Robert J. McGuire. Courtenay served in that capacity until his retirement in July 1983.
Chief Courtenay earned a Bachelor’s degree from Pace University, New York, being named their Alumnus of the year in 1979.
Chief Courtenay was a published author, having written books on Emergency Response and Drug Intervention for use with police training. He testified before the US Congress regarding the “War on Drugs.” He appeared on the cover of New York Times Sunday magazine section.
Daniel was a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police; Police Benevolent Association; National Law Enforcement Association; Kutztown Optimist Club; Knights of Columbus.
Survivors: Wife; Daughters, Kathleen A. Courtenay, Manhattan; Mary (Courtenay) wife of George H. Paterno, Kutztown; son, Daniel J. Courtenay, Manhattan. In addition there are two grandsons, Stephen C. Paterno, Port Orange, Fla. And Daniel G. Paterno, Carlisle. Predeceased brothers, John, Robert and Thomas Courtenay.
Services: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, 10:00 a.m. from Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 14833 Kutztown Road, Kutztown with The Reverend Monsignor Walter T. Scheaffer as celebrant. Interment in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown. Friends may call Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Home, 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown.
Contributions: The family requests contribution be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780 or on line at www.michaeljfox.org. On-line condolences may be recorded at www.ludwickfh.com
Born June 30, 1926 in New York City, he was a son of the late John W. and Anna (Ossenfort) Courtenay. He was a member of Saint Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, West Lawn and a former member of Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Kutztown.
He was a US Navy veteran of World War II.
Daniel began his career with the New York City Police Department on December 19, 1947 as a patrol officer. In 1957 he was promoted to sergeant, thus beginning a steady rise through the ranks. His assignments over a span of thirty-five years included command positions within the Organized Crime Control Bureau, Operations Division, Patrol Services, Narcotics Division, Tactical Patrol Force and Bronx Detectives.
In 1976 Courtenay was designated Police Coordinator for the Democratic National Convention. Chief Courtenay was named the commanding officer, Patrol Borough, Manhattan South, where he oversaw the daily activities of ten police precincts.
In October 1979 he was promoted to Chief, Organized Crime Control Bureau by Police Commissioner Robert J. McGuire. Courtenay served in that capacity until his retirement in July 1983.
Chief Courtenay earned a Bachelor’s degree from Pace University, New York, being named their Alumnus of the year in 1979.
Chief Courtenay was a published author, having written books on Emergency Response and Drug Intervention for use with police training. He testified before the US Congress regarding the “War on Drugs.” He appeared on the cover of New York Times Sunday magazine section.
Daniel was a member of International Association of Chiefs of Police; Police Benevolent Association; National Law Enforcement Association; Kutztown Optimist Club; Knights of Columbus.
Survivors: Wife; Daughters, Kathleen A. Courtenay, Manhattan; Mary (Courtenay) wife of George H. Paterno, Kutztown; son, Daniel J. Courtenay, Manhattan. In addition there are two grandsons, Stephen C. Paterno, Port Orange, Fla. And Daniel G. Paterno, Carlisle. Predeceased brothers, John, Robert and Thomas Courtenay.
Services: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, 10:00 a.m. from Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 14833 Kutztown Road, Kutztown with The Reverend Monsignor Walter T. Scheaffer as celebrant. Interment in Hope Cemetery, Kutztown. Friends may call Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Home, 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown.
Contributions: The family requests contribution be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780 or on line at www.michaeljfox.org. On-line condolences may be recorded at www.ludwickfh.com
