The grandson of Art Rooney, who founded the Pittsburgh Steelers and is a Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee, has died at age 51. Matthew Joseph Rooney passed away on Aug. 15 at his home in East Hampton, according to an obituary.
Matthew was the son of JoAnn and John J. Rooney, a former minority shareholder in the team who sold most of his 16 percent stake in 2009. A spokesperson for the team told the New York Post, “The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew.”
No cause of death has been released.
Matthew graduated from New York University and later obtained a master’s degree from Columbia University. According to information provided by the funeral home, he lived in both New York and Los Angeles before settling in Brooklyn Heights and East Hampton.
He was described as a writer and artist with a passion for literature as well as ballet and opera. The obituary describes him as possessing “wit, charm and love of fashion made him one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bon Vivant.”
He is survived by his mother, four older siblings, fifteen nieces and nephews, and eighteen great nieces and nephews.
The mass and burial will be held Thursday in Pennsylvania.
Art Rooney brought the Steelers into what became the National Football League in 1933. He served as chairman until his death in 1988. The family remains prominent within professional football circles.
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