Retired Wilmington Police Sergeant James J. “Jim” Rooney, age 67, a life-long resident of Wilmington, died Thursday, September 3, 2009, at home, surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with cancer.
Born on August 26, 1942, in Winchester, Jim was the dear son of the late Edward and Mary (App) Rooney. Jim grew up in Wilmington and was a graduate of Wilmington High School Class of 1961. He was drafted by the United States Army in November of 1964 and served the country during the Vietnam War. Jim was honorably discharged on October 21, 1966.
Following his return from the Army, Jim was employed as an Iron Worker with Local #7 in Boston for several years before he was appointed to the Wilmington Police Department. Jim served the community well and worked his way up the ranks retiring as a Sergeant in June of 2000. Jim was very active in the Wilmington community, he served on the Board of Selectman for many years and was also Chairman of the Board , he was a member of the Fr. Croke Council Knights of Columbus, American Legion, the Wilmington V.F.W., and former proprietor of Game World which was located on Route 38 in Wilmington. Jim was also involved in the construction business with his brother and they built many homes in the Wilmington area. In his spare time, Jim loved to travel with his family and friends, he enjoyed all kinds of music and playing the piano, he had a passion for boating and loved Lake Winnipesaukee, and although he had retired Jim could still be seen around town in his police uniform doing police details in his spare time. Jim will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a “people person”, fun loving, an avid politician who loved to discuss polit ics on local and national levels, and most notably family man who was devoted to his wife, children and grandchildren.
Family & friends will gather at the Nichols Funeral Home Inc. , 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, on Thursday, September 10th at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Thomas Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 11:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting hours Wednesday, September 9th from 3-9 p.m.
Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made to the Sgt. James J. Rooney Memorial Fund, c/o Danversbank, 247 Main St., Wilmington, MA 01887.
My condolences to Jim’s family. He will be missed.
So very sorry to hear about Jimmy. Our thoughts and prayers for all of you. Anita and Becky
Colleen, Dion and family,
We are very sorry to hear about your father. We knew him personally, and he will be missed by many people I’m sure. If there is anything we can do for you, please let us know.
Love,
Wayne and Maureen Parsons
Kathaleen, Chris, & Rooney family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Your dad was such a nice guy. May you find comfort in the fact that he is now at peace and out of pain. May you find joy in all the memories you and your children had with your father. We will keep you in our prayers.
Love,
Mimi and Rich McHugh
My Condolences to the family.
Beverly and the Rooney Family,
We were very sorry to hear about Jim. We will miss seeing his smiling face in the neighborhood. He always had a kind word to say about everyone. If there is anything you need, please call or just knock on the door.
Nancy, Al, Joe & Christina
Kelly & Family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Do not hesitate to ask if you need anything at all. Take care.
Kim
Words can not begin to take away the sadness in your hearts. May you cherish all the wonderful memories and let them give you strength in your time of sorrow. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Linda, Randy, Kaila, Jessica, and Lilly
I am very sorry for your loss, Jimmy was a great person. I enjoy Jimmy’s company when he came up to Maine. We have lost a great guy, My prays and thoughts are with you.
Cynthia Hall
Dear Beverly, Shelly, Judy, & Maryann;
Denis and I extend to you all our deepest condolences on your loss.There are no words I can say to express our sorrow. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all
Katheleen and family,
So sorry to hear about your loss. May the memories you cherish keep you and your family strong during this time of sorrow.
Please accept our condolences at this difficult time.
The class of 61 has lost a dear friend. Paul and I send our deepest sympathies to your whole family. Jim will be remembered by those he helped out and those who only knew him by name. I will miss our many conversations and many many laughs. We are praying for you Maryann and the whole Rooney.
To Jim’s Entire Family & Friends:
There are no words to describe the loss of someone who is loved by so many. We all share in your sorrow. Our hearts are broken. We have lost someone who has been part of our family for as long as we can remember. He will live in our hearts forever. His courage has been an inspiration for all of us. Two words describe Jim “TRUE GRIT”.
We love you Jim and you will ALWAYS be with us. Till we meet again.
Artie Boy & Mary
I wish I could thank Jimmy personally for his lifetime of service to his fellow-man and the people of Wilmington. While I’ve only known him a relatively short time, I am much richer for having had the opportunity to call him my friend. My wife and I extend our deepest sympathies to Bev, and his entire family. You are all in our prayers during this time of your and Wilmington’s loss.
Kathaleen and Family,
I am so very saddened to hear of your dads passing. There are no words that can comfort you when you lose someone so close and endearing to your heart. May your happiest memories keep your hearts light in this most difficult of times.
With much love,
Tammy and Alyssa Metras
To my classmate, life-long loyal friend and fun-loving pal, Jim, the world just won’t be the same without you. For your family and everyone who knew and loved you, your strength made us feel strong and your warm heart and easy laughter helped make our cares go away. We will all miss you so much. But we take comfort in so many fond and happy memories.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. May the memories you and your family have keep you all strong during this time of sorrow.
We are so sorry for jim passing. we have truly lost a good friend. We shall keep him and his family in our prayers and will always remember the joy he brought to us and my family
he has left a foot print that will never be forgotten.
To the Rooney family, I am very sad to hear of Jimmy’s passing . I have a lot of good memories of all of us growing up together in our great neighbor~hood ..It was like two family’s in one .
It was with deep sadness that we learned of Jim’s passing. Our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are with you, Bev, and your extended family in this terrible time. May warm memories soon bring you solace.
With love,
To the Rooney Family:
I have so many fond memories of Mr. Rooney, and our families spending time together over the years. I will always remember his wonderful laugh and his loving way.
May he rest in peace.
We had the wonderful pleasure of knowing Jim and being a little part of his life. He always made us feel special. We won’t forget hearing his voice on our answering machine in New Hampshire in the Spring. He was a very charasmatic man – he will be missed.
Dear Bev,
We’re so sorry about the loss of your husband. It’s difficult to lose a person so dear to you. From all that I’ve read and from interactions I recall (long ago…too long) Jim and you were perfectly matched! ; )
Thinking of you today and in the days ahead…
Sincerely,
Stacie & Chris
Kathaleen, Shannon & Colleen,
There are no words to comfort you in the loss of your Dad. Please know that he touched many lives in this Town. We have lost a dear friend.
I will cherish the many conversations we had and the laughter he brought, not just to us, but to so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
With much love to you all and our deepest sympathy,
Joe and Phyllis
Kathleen, so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. May your memories of him help you through this very sad time.
Colleen, we are very sorry to hear about the loss of your dad and hope that you and your family are doing ok.
To the entire Rooney Family,
I wanted to send my sincere sympathy at this sad time. You are in my thoughts and prayers
So sorry for your loss.
We are very sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathaleen and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We are very sorry for your loss. As difficult as it is today to see beyond the sorrow, may loving memories help comfort you tomorrow.
Fondly,
Lisa & John Roche Family
The Wilmington Knights of Columbus is deeply saddened over the loss of our brother Jimmy. We extend our sincere sympathies to Bev, his siblings, children and grandchildren. God Bless and rest in peace Jim!
To the Rooney family, we are so sorry to hear about your loss
Dear Bevvy and family: You have my sincere condolences in your loss, but know Jim is sleeping and at rest. I offer you these words of comfort drawn from the best book I know:
“And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will
be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.
The former things have passed away.” – Revelation 21:4
Warmest regards, – Suzanne
Still can’t believe you’re gone, honey. Not a day goes by….Love and miss you every single day. You made me smile and laugh and held my heart in your hands. There will never be another “You”. Love Bevvy
I love you and miss you so much. Still not a day goes by without thinking, loving and missing you. Love you – Bev