THERE is nothing but admiration and love in the eyes of 10-year-old Nathan Cooney when he looks up at his dad Phil and explains why he has the best dad.

After reading about a new dad in this week’s Daily News Father’s Day coverage, Nathan wanted to share his story about his dad.

“I was too shy to tell the Daily News so I asked my big brother to call,” Nathan said with a smile.

A father for 36 years, Mr Cooney is dad to Phil junior, Chris, stepdaughter Larissa and Nathan and said they were his whole life.

“I have just been bringing up kids since I was 18. It’s all I know how to do I think,” Mr Cooney said.

Nathan said his dad had been a great support over the years and had taught him a lot about life.

“He has shown me as I grow up to be truthful and responsible for what you do,” Nathan said.

It was an endless list for Nathan after thinking about all the great things he does with his dad, however, there was a common theme surrounding sporting activities.

“Dad tried to teach me how to surf – that was really hard,” Nathan laughed.

From casting a fishing line to taking a golf swing Mr Cooney is always there for his children offering them support and guiding them through life.

Mr Cooney said there were hard times being a father and it was never going to be easy for parents to raise children.

“The big thing for me, it’s hard to put into words, are those proud moments,” he said. “They can come from anything, it’s the warmth you get from being a proud parent that makes it all worthwhile.”

He is now a proud grandfather of four-month-old Rider, five-year-old Remedee, seven-year-old Jett and three-year-old Zara after his eldest sons married and had children of their own.

The whole family will spend Father’s Day at the Gold Coast where Nathan looks forward to a trip to White Water World with his dad and Mr Cooney looks forward to watching his favourite team Carlton defeat Sydney in the AFL.