Shrewsbury – Thomas L. Rooney 95, of Shrewsbury, passed away on November 14, 2024 at Southgate of Shrewsbury, after a period of declining health.
Born in Brattleboro, VT and raised in Massachusetts, Thomas and his brother, John, born to the late John and Sabina (Donlon) Rooney, both natives of Ireland. His wife of forty eight years Eileen (O’Brien) passed away in 2004.
He was educated in Worcester, graduating from Commerce High School and New England School of Accounting.
Drafted in 1950 he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War (Corporal) his ability to type allowed him to serve his time during the war in Salzburg, Austria with the Signal Corps. As a result, all his children were required to take typing class in high school.
He had a long banking career starting at the Bay State Savings Bank, then Home Federal Savings and Loan and completed his career as President and CEO of the Leicester Savings Bank retiring in 1991.
After retiring Tom became a bit of a historian researching many topics but focusing on two subjects extensively those being George Herman “Babe” Ruth and Tobias “Toby” Boland. Writing two books on the latter related to the construction of the Blackstone Canal. “The Irish Pioneer” and “Toby Boland and The Blackstone Canal” a children’s book. He was instrumental in the erection of several memorials one for Tobias Boland on the grounds of Holy Cross. Boland built the first two buildings at the college. Another memorial to professional baseball player Jack Barry of Shrewsbury the shortstop of the $100,000 infield of the Philadelphia Athletics in the early 1910s.
He served as the Grand Knight of the Shrewsbury Knights of Columbus – Adelphi Council #4181. He was active in serving the senior community in Shrewsbury by heading the Friends of the Senior Center, the Senior Citizens Club and the Shrewsbury branch of the AARP.
Tom is survived by his three sons and two daughters, Thomas L. Rooney Jr. and his wife Francine, Michael Rooney and his wife Joanne both of Shrewsbury, Dennis Rooney and his wife Angela of Boston, Ellen Savickas and her husband John of Paxton and Meaghan Swain of Mount Laurel N.J. his 13 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends. In addition to his parents, Tom was predeceased by his wife Eileen (O’Brien), brother John Rooney and his half-brother, Paul Rooney.
The family would like to thank the Hampton Suites Assisted Living staff who treated Tom like he was a part of their family and the hospice staff of Notre Dame Health Care.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a visitation period at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, on the Common, Shrewsbury Center, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Funeral Service will follow. Interment with Military Honors will be held at Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury.
