Mr. Rooney was born in Springfield, Vermont on December 6, 1940, son of the late Dorothy Beers Rooney and Harold Rooney. He was a 1958 graduate of Danbury High School and a 1962 graduate of Danbury State College. He later obtained his Masters Degree in Education from Western Connecticut State University.
Following graduation from college, he taught fifth grade at Meeting House Hill School in New Fairfield for 35 years before retiring in 1998.
Additional employment included working at McNiff's Tire Shop in Danbury from the time he was a teenager to eventually becoming co-owner of the business. He also served in the Army National Guard in the 1960s.
A familiar face around town in New Fairfield, Mr. Rooney was an active member of the New Fairfield Lions Club for nearly four decades. His tireless service to his community and gregarious personality was well known to several generations of New Fairfield students.
Besides his wife of 25 years, he is survived by a daughter, Robin (Robert) Grandieri of Waterford CT; son, Jeff (Elizabeth) Rooney of Fresno, CA; and stepdaughter, Kathleen Waldron of Brookfield CT. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Bryan (Kally) and Kevin Grandieri, and Elijah, Rebekah, Samuel and Anna Rooney.
Mr. Rooney was preceded in death by his late wife, Priscilla Benz Rooney; sister, Dorothy Chernak; and brothers, William, George, Harold and Donald Rooney.
A Memorial Gathering will be held from 12:00pm – 2:00pm on Sunday, June 25, 2023 at the Green Funeral Home, 57 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Rooney’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, POB 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 or go to www.heart.org/donate.
