Born in New York City, N.Y., he was the son of the late Vincent and Helen Schmid Rooney. He was a veteran of WWII having served in the US Army. Rooney moved to Polk County in 1986 from Baytown, Texas. He was a past member of Tryon Country Club and was the widower of Florence Rooney who died July 22, 1996.

Surviving are two daughters, Paula Gerdes of Tryon and Barbara Clark of Madison, Miss. Also surviving are three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. &bsp;

Burial will be in the Western North Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain with the Buncombe County Burial Squad assisting.

Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, 500 Carolina Dr., Tryon, N.C. 28782.

An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel Tryon is in charge of arrangements.

‐ paid obituary