Matthew “Dutch” Rooney, a former Palm Beach resident and the grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, died Aug. 15 at his East Hampton, New York, home, according to an online obituary. He was 51.
Mr. Rooney, who sold his Midtown condo at the Island House in Palm Beach last year, died of natural causes, his family told the Daily News.
His mother, JoAnne, and brother, Sean, still own homes on the island, as do other members of the Rooney family. Mr. Rooney’s cousin, Timothy Rooney Jr., bought the last of three Palm Beach houses once owned by singer Jimmy Buffett in April.
The extended Rooney family’s business portfolio includes ownership of the Palm Beach Kennel Club in West Palm Beach.
Mr. Rooney was born in Meadowbrook, Pennsylvania, on Nov. 11, 1973, to JoAnn Wallace Rooney and the late John J. Rooney, one of Art Rooney’s five sons and a minority shareholder of the Steelers until he sold most of his 16% stake in 2009.
He earned a bachelor of arts from New York University and a master’s from Columbia University.
A writer and artist who was deeply devoted to literature, ballet, and opera, Mr. Rooney served as vice chair of the Allegro Circle for the New York City Ballet and as a board member of the Metropolitan Opera of New York, his family said.
Mr. Rooney divided his time between New York and Los Angeles before making his home in Brooklyn Heights, New York, and East Hampton.
“Matthew’s wit, charm and love of fashion made him one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bon Vivant,” his family said.
Mr. Rooney’s funeral service and private burial took place Aug. 21 in Philadelphia.
He is survived by his mother, four older siblings, 15 nieces and nephews, and 18 great-nieces and nephews.
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Matthew Rooney, former Palm Beacher and grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder, dies at 51
Reporting by Jodie Wagner, Palm Beach Daily News / Palm Beach Daily News
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