Matthew Rooney, the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Art Rooney Sr., has died at his home in the Hamptons at the age of 51. The Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed his passing to the New York Post on Thursday, Aug. 21.
“The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew,” a Steelers spokesperson said in a statement to the newspaper.
The cause of death has not been made public as of Thursday. Matthew Rooney was born in Pennsylvania and was the son of JoAnn Wallace Rooney and John J. Rooney, who previously held a 16% minority ownership stake in the team before sharing it in 2009.
According to his family’s obituary shared by R.L. Williams, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Matthew earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and later completed a Master’s at Columbia University. He was described as a writer, artist, and lover of ballet and opera.
“Matthew’s wit, charm and love of fashion made him one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bon Vivant,” the obituary states.
A funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday morning with a private burial to follow.
Art Rooney Sr., who founded the Steelers in 1933, was owner during their first four Super Bowl championships. He was succeeded by his son Dan Rooney from 1988 until 2016, who was then followed by Art Rooney II, now serving as the team’s majority owner.
