Peter S. Rooney, an Area Resident, Dies at 87

Peter S. Rooney, 87, an area resident for 10 years and formerly of Yorktown Heights, died peacefully on September 21, 2017 at his home surrounded by his loving family

Born in Yonkers on June 16, 1930, he was the son of Thomas and Mary Ellen (Brennan) Rooney. He proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He received a BS in Physics from Iona College; an MS in Physics from Fordham University and was a candidate for Ph.D. in Physics from Fordham. Mr. Rooney did oceanographic research for Columbia University where he was involved in work on a security classified program concerned with the behavior of submarine wakes, the neutron leakage from nuclear submarines and diffusion in the open ocean. This work led to his being part of the team in the search for the "Thresher" the first nuclear submarine which disappeared soon after launching. The search involved working in the bathyscaphe Trieste. This research led to several publications which are classified. He was later employed by IBM where he helped design PARS (Program Airline Reservation System). He retired as a Computer Analyst with EDS, Newark, NJ.

On January 23, 1960 at Blessed Sacrament Church in New Rochelle, Peter married Patricia Maguire who survives at home. He is also survived by his children and their spouses, Peter and Adele Rooney of Poughquag, Eileen and Eugene Mulligan of Millstone, NJ, Joseph Rooney of Eastchester, Susan and Matthew Oswald of Harrisburg, PA, Stephen and Etta Rooney of Pennsburg, PA, and John and Mary-Jane Rooney of Niskayuna; his grandchildren, Brian Mulligan, Nicholas Rooney, Meagan Rooney, Joseph Rooney, Zachary Oswald, Kevin Mulligan, Jake Rooney, Sean Mulligan, Luke Oswald, Connor Oswald, Brennan Rooney, Doyle Rooney, Jeannie-Rose Rooney, Cian Rooney and Suzanne Rooney. He was predeceased by his grandsons, Patrick and Jack Rooney.

Mr. Rooney's faith and family were of primary importance in his life. He was a parishioner of St. Denis Church, Hopewell Junction where he was a daily communicant. He served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years at Westchester Medical Center and St. Denis and was a member of the Men’s Ministry

Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday at 10am at St. Denis Church, 602 Beekman Road, Hopewell Junction followed by interment in St. Denis Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Denis Church, PO Box 10, Hopewell Jct., NY 12533. Please visit Peter’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.