Paul D. Rooney ’61
Paul D. Rooney ’61 died in Florida on June 29, 2023. He sailed on tankers, break-bulk cargo, and containerships throughout his long career. Prior to attending MMA, he served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard; three and a half years aboard the CG cutter Acushnet out of Portland, Maine. On the Acushnet, he was involved in numerous rescue attempts including the passenger liner Andrea Doria, and in the sprint and summer of 1957 made the International Ice Patrol based in Newfoundland and the Grand Banks.
Upon graduating from MMA, he started his career sailing on tankers for American Trading & Production Company. After more than a year he then started sailing on dry cargo ships with Masters, Mates and Pilots. For the next five years he sailed “off the board” through the New York union hall on numerous ships to all parts of the globe with various companies. In 1967 he started sailing with Farrell Lines as a second mate and chief mate, and then Master in 1976. He sailed with Farrell Lines for seventeen years. Due to consolidation in the industry, as ships were sold he switched to US Lines for five years and finally spent the last ten years of his career with Sea Land sailing on the west coast to the far east, retiring in 1997. In addition to more than fifty years as a member of MM&P he was also a longtime member of the Council of American Master Mariners. His wife of 42 years, Cecelia, predeceased him. He leaves his daughters Michelle and Laura, and grandchildren Darby and Jake Brown.
Latest Eight Bells
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- Frank W. Richardson III ’65Frank W. Richardson III, 80, of Beaumont, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Over the last few years, old age and health issues got the best of him and his heart just gave out. Frank is now in the arms of Jesus, surrounded with love and no longer in pain or suffering. Frank was […]
- Rodney J. Lucas ’69Rodney J. Lucas passed away peacefully at his home in The Villages, FL on April 5th, 2024 at the age of 77. Rod is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Rosemary Lucas, daughter Keri Lucas and her husband John Barsosky, and grandson Jackson Barsosky of Huntersville, NC, and daughter Megan Lucas of The […]
- Stephen R. Barbara ’67Stephen R. Barbara passed away April 6, 2024.
- William T. Orr ’74William T. Orr (aka “Captain Bill”) of Lake Hopatcong, NJ passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024 at St. Clare’s Hospital Dover Campus surrounded by his loving family. He was 71 years old. Bill was born on September 24, 1952 in Denville, NJ to the late Wayne and the late Agnes (Connor) Orr. Bill […]
- Herbert C. Phelps ’57Herbert Cornell Phelps, 86, of South Portland, Maine, passed away on March 24, 2024. Herb was born on April 17, 1936, in Boston. He is the son of the late Noel and Margaret Rose (Carson) Phelps. He worked in the Merchant Marine as an engineer for many years, with his most cherished accomplishment being his […]