Matthew Rooney, grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, dead at 51
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Matthew Rooney, the grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers legendary founder Art Rooney, died at his Hamptons home on Friday, the team confirmed to The Post. He was 51.
“The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew,” a Steelers spokesperson said in a statement to The Post.
A cause of death was not revealed.
Rooney was born in Meadowbrook, Pa., on Nov. 11, 1973 to JoAnn Wallace Rooney and John J. Rooney, a minority shareholder of the Steelers until he sold a majority of his 16 percent stake in 2009.
Matthew Rooney graduated from NYU with a Bachelor of Arts before earning his Master’s at Columbia University.
The writer, artist and lover of ballet and opera was remembered by his family in an online obituary.
He split time living in New York and Los Angeles before settling down in Brooklyn Heights and East Hampton.
Rooney was remembered for his “wit, charm and love of fashion” that made him “one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bob Viviant,” the family said.
Rooney served as the vice chair of the donor arm of the New York City Ballet’s Allegro Circle and was a member of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Opera of New York.
The Post has reached out to the Metropolitan Opera.
“I was saddened to hear about the passing of Matthew Rooney. I didn’t know him well, but he was always a kind, familiar face at the ballet — someone who had a special way of making others feel welcome and celebrated,” fashion designer Joshua Kamei said in an Instagram post.
He is survived by his mother, four older siblings, 15 nieces and nephews and 18 great nieces and nephews.
The Rooney family has owned the iconic NFL franchise since Art Rooney guided the team into the league back in 1933.
The Rooney patriarch served as chairman and owner of the team until his death in 1988.
Art Rooney’s son, Dan, was named president of the team in 1975 and held the position until he died in 2002.
The team is now run by owner and president Art Rooney II, Dan’s son and Matthew’s cousin.
A private funeral and burial will be held for Matthew Rooney on Aug. 21 in Philadelphia, PA
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