Obituary of Thomas C Rooney, Jr.

Rooney, Thomas C. Jr. age 97 of Hamburg at rest in Newton on October 31, 2024. Born in South Paterson on May 31, 1927 he lived in Paterson for most of his life before moving to Hamburg 7 years ago. Tom was married on June 30, 1956 to Joan C. Smith who passed away in 2021. Tom attended St. George Grammar School, Paterson (1932-1940), St. John's High School, Paterson (1940-1944), Madison Technical Institute, Newark (1947-1949), Eastside High School, Paterson (nights) (1950-1951), Newark College of Engineering, Newark (nights) (1951-1960) where he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering, College for Financial Planning, Denver, Colorado (1987-1989) and was awarded designation of "Certified Financial Planner" in 1989. He served in the United States Navy from 1945-1946 and was honorably discharged. During his career, he was the owner of Rooney Television Sales and Service (1949-1972), He was the Mayor of Paterson (1973-1974), the Director of Governmental Affairs, Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (1974-1986), a Certified Financial Planner (1989-1999), Tom was a member of the Paterson City Council (1980-2008), Finance Chairman (1989-2008), President (1987-1988). His civic duties include President, St. George Home and School Association (1970-1972), President, Paterson Taxpayers Association, (1967-1968 and 1970-1971), member of the Legislative Action Committee of New Jersey Conference of Mayors (1973-1974, Board of Directors, Federation of New Jersey Taxpayers, Inc. (1971-1972), Board of Directors, New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway, (1980-1986), Member of Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park Advisory Commission (2011-2017) and was an avid reader and classical pianist. Tom's family has found great peace in the thought of him being reunited with his beloved wife Joan and their two children who predeceased them as infants. Tom is survived by daughters Theresa Flynn and her husband, Patrick and Joan Gutkowski and her husband, Robert, granddaughter Amanda Coccaro and her husband Anthony and grandson Robert Gutkowski. Tom was predeceased by his four beloved siblings and is survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice in Newton, NJ. Arrangements are by Festa Memorial Funeral Home, Totowa, NJ