- Date Of Death: December 8, 2009
- State: New Jersey
James Francis Rooney, a lifelong resident of Burlington, New Jersey peacefully passed away on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, surrounded by his family at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Willingboro. He was 90 years old. Jim was a decorated Army veteran of WW II and served his country in the European theater with the 4th Infantry Division, 8th Regiment, Anti-Tank Company. He was awarded the EAMET Ribbon with 5 Bronze Stars, a Distinguished Unit Badge and two Bronze Star Medals. He was a veteran of the Battle for the Huertgen Forest, the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Paris, France.
After his service Jim returned to his hometown of Burlington, married the woman he loved and raised a family. He was known as a man of honor and integrity that loved his family and friends. He was a member of the American Legion, Capt. James MacFarland Post 79 in Burlington. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Sadie (nee Keller); they were members of several Square Dance clubs and the AARP in Moorestown, N.J. He is also survived by their children: Kathleen (Dennis) Silage, Kenneth (Karen) Rooney, Michael (Sandra) Rooney, and Timothy (Linda) Rooney. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Marisa, Matthew (Wendy) Silage; Erin, Fionna, and Maura Rooney; Heather, Ian, Trevor, Caitlin, Eamon Rooney and Rachel (Ryan) Church, Leah (Mark) Zulli, Jessica (Bryan) Church; Jaimie Rooney, Nick Campbell and 10 great grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his brother Walter (Bud) Rooney, his wife Barbara and many nieces and nephews from both the Rooney and Keller families.
Jim was preceded in death by his eldest brother John (Jack) Rooney and his youngest brother Richard Thomas Rooney. A public viewing will be held for Jim at the Page Funeral Home, 302 Union Street in Burlington on Tuesday, December 15th from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM. Immediately following the viewing, at 11 AM, a Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Paul’s R. C. Church across the street. After the Mass, a funeral procession will transport Jim to Brigadier William C. Doyle Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown where he will be interred with full military honors.
