Rooney
PITTSTON — James “Jim” Rooney will serve as the general manager of the 111th Anniversary St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Monday, March 17, at The Banks Waterfront, Pittston.
Rooney, the son of the late James A. Rooney and Margaret Mary (Hennigan) Rooney, was born in Pittston, where he has continued to live his entire life.
He graduated from St. John the Evangelist High School in 1976, attended Luzerne County Community College where he studied Fire Science, and completed coursework through the years at the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown, PA.
Rooney and his wife, Mary Theresa (Cosgrove) Rooney, are the parents of Sean (Brittany), Dallas, and Katie Rooney of Pittston.
He is “Pop-Pop” to his two granddaughters, Isla Grace and Shay Harper Rooney.
Early in his life, Rooney realized his passion for firefighting, joining the Niagara Engine Co. #2 as a volunteer firefighter in July 1976 then serving as secretary and captain of the company.
He was hired as a part-time fire truck driver in December 1980 and hired as a full-time fighter/apparatus operator in April 1985.
In 1992, he was promoted to assistant fire chief, and in 2001, he was promoted to deputy fire chief. In January 2006 he was promoted to fire chief, a position he held for 14 years until his retirement in June 2020. In total, he served the City of Pittston for 35 years.
During his career, he trained thousands of children, teachers and older adults on fire prevention and fire safety as both a lecturer and an educator.
In January 2006, he received an acknowledgement from the state Senate for his outstanding service in this area.
Rooney was also a certified CPR instructor for the American Heart Association.
He has been serving as treasurer of the Pittston Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association for the past 30 years.
Since retiring, he is working part-time for Adonizio Funeral Home.
Rooney is very active in the Greater Pittston community, belonging to many organizations.
In 1977, he joined the Greater Pittston Ambulance and has served as an EMT, attaining the rank of captain. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association.
He is a past president and sustaining member of the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. In March 2020, Rooney was honored to be Grand Marshall of the Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade.
He is a member of the Knights of Columbus Pittston, Council 372 and the 4th Degree assembly 948, and has served as past president of the home association.
Rooney is a member of the NEPA Emerald Society and a member of Avoca Ancient Order of Hibernians.
He is a former Board of Directors member of the YMCA and Pittston Little League, where he previously coached, and was involved with junior and senior league baseball for Pittston.
Rooney also coached soccer for the Pittston Stoners and basketball at St. John the Baptist and Wyoming Area Catholic.
