Thomas Rooney

November 25, 1923 - March 12, 2013

Thomas J. Rooney, 89, of Washington Square Apartments in Wilkes-Barre died Tuesday at Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Born November 25, 1923 in Wilkes-Barre he was a son of the late William J. and Mary Ellen Loughney Rooney. Tom was as graduate of Saint Mary's High School. A proud Marine Corps veteran of World War II, Tom served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945. Tom, his father and brother were partners in the operation of Rooney's Restaurant on West Market Street in Wilkes-Barre during the 1940s and 50s. He later became a procurement officer for the United States Military Academy at West Point before retiring. An infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth, brother, William J. Rooney, Jr., sisters, Sr. M. Marie Rooney, I.H.M. and Sr. M. Wilma Rooney, I.H.M., and a son-in-law, John Ferris preceded him in death. He will be greatly missed by his wife of sixty-seven years, the former Margaret Anne Whalen; sons, Bill Rooney of Bel Air, Maryland, Thomas J., Jr. and his wife Carol Rooney of Walden, New York, Michael Rooney of Middletown, New York, , John Rooney of Green Valley , California, Frank and his wife Tracey Rooney of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; daughters, Nancy Ferris of Goshen, New York, Patricia and her husband Rick Galippo of Corona, California, Jane and her husband Patrick Barkley of Oakland Park, Florida; fifteen grandchildren and one great-grandson who adored their Pop-Pop; sister, Peg Ronky of Reading; nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held Friday, March 22nd with a Funeral Mass at 9:30 AM in the Church of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, 130 South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre. Interment will be in Saint Mary's Cemetery in Hanover Township. Memorial donations are preferred and may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 57 North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, 18701. Arrangements by McLaughlin’s – The Family Funeral Service. Permanent messages and memories can be shared with Tom’s family at www.celebratehislife.com