Obituary of John Joseph Rooney, Jr.

Obituary for John J. Rooney Jr.

From His Four Children

Our beloved father, John Joseph Rooney Jr., aged 91, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2023.  Dad was born to John Joseph Rooney and Dora Clexton in Boston, Massachusetts on May 2, 1932. 

He is preceded in death by his brother Clexton and sisters Theodora (Pippy) and Barbara.  He is survived by his wife, Ellen, his four children: Charlie, Bill, Jane, and Terry and their spouses: Luz, Cindy, Mike, and Shaun.  He is also survived by his nine grandchildren: Christopher, Katie, Claire, Caden, Dan, Michael, Erin, Jack, and Milly, and finally by his many nephews and nieces and their families.

Dad was a tried-and-true New Englander having grown up in Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood.  He attended Rivers High School where he played baseball and football and graduated from Holy Cross College. 

After college Dad served in the Army for three years stationed in Germany.  During his time off he travelled through Europe and left us many shoeboxes full of photos and slides that we are in the process of preserving for his grandchildren and future generations. 

After his Army service Dad worked in the Boston area where, through his network of family and friends, he joined the 1960 presidential campaign supporting JFK.  We are still amazed by some of his stories including when he drove JFK and Jackie Kennedy to campaign events in Wisconsin.  He also attended JFK’s inauguration.  Dad just said it was very cold.

In 1963 Dad married our mother, Ellen Marie Chambers, and for nearly 60 years the two were inseparable.  They gave the four of us children a foundation rooted in family and faith in God, and a model of love and devotion for us to follow.  Their personalities and demeanors could not have been more different yet complemented each other perfectly.  Mom loved her lists and kept the family organized and on track with her high energy.  Dad offered a calmer approach and was kept in charge of Easter egg hunts for his grandchildren.

Having played sports in his youth Dad turned his attention to golf where he amazed us with his skill and consistency even into his 80’s.  He spent much his of retirement attending or tuning in to the college baseball games where Terry coached and cheering for his grandchildren at their youth sporting events. 

We remember our Dad for his happy and easy going demeanor, his fun and satirical sense of humor, and for his devotion to us and our mother. Ta-ta and Toodle-Loo Dad.  We love you forever. 

-Charlie, Bill, Jane, and Terry

A Catholic funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am on July 14^th at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. 41677 Corpus Christi Dr, Aldie, VA 20105.

In lieu of flowers we ask that any donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association supporting dementia research.