Matthew Rooney, the grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., died at age 51 at his home in the Hamptons last Friday, according to confirmation from the team on Thursday. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
A spokesperson for the Steelers said to the New York Post: “The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew.”
Matthew Rooney was a Pennsylvania native and the son of JoAnn Wallace Rooney and John J. Rooney, who previously served as a minority owner of the Steelers until 2009. According to his family, Matthew held a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and a Master’s degree from Columbia University. He worked as a writer and artist, with an appreciation for ballet and opera.
His family stated in an obituary shared by R.L. Williams, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., “Matthew’s wit, charm and love of fashion made him one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bon Vivant.”
A funeral mass is scheduled for Thursday morning with a private burial to follow.
Art Rooney Sr. founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933 and led the franchise during its first four Super Bowl championships. He was succeeded by his son Dan Rooney from 1988 to 2016. The current majority owner is Art Rooney II.
