Rooney, James J. fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Tuesday, June 4, 2024, beloved husband of Dodie (nee Bubela), dearest father of Timothy (Barbara), Patrick (Melissa), Daniel (Maria), John (Kimberly), and Kevin (Sarah), cherished grandfather to Claire, Michael, Mia, Ellie, Connor, Max, Cali, Emma, Mara, Patrick, Addie, and James, dearest brother to Christine (Ron) Roche, Kathleen (Mark) Luzecky, Ann (Phil) Chiles, Maureen (Tony) Anderson, and Colleen (Tom) Price, dearest brother-in-law to Donna Landau, James (Elaine) Bubela, Patricia (Russ) Roehr, and Cecilia (Robert) Greenberg.
Jim founded Mercy Eye Care and with a dedicated group of coworkers devoted his career to helping patients of all ages view the world in the best light. He considered his coworkers to be family. He specialized in children with special needs and in some cases allowed them to see their mother’s smile for the first time. Jim was much loved around Mercy Hospital, always lending a kind word or greeting to everyone he passed.
He was an avid St. Louis sports fan following the Cardinals, Blues, City SC, and Rams. Jim coached numerous youth sports teams for his kids and family. He was always active with his kids in all their activities.
Jim would help anyone in need whether it be his best friend or a complete stranger. He was a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters where he mentored Gerard Cartwright for more than 20 years, and he maintained contact with the Cartwright family for the rest of his life. He was a constant source of entertainment and laughter, always wanting to be the life of the party. He was loved dearly by his family and friends. Jim will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be Tuesday, June 11, 4-8 p.m. at Kutis Affton Chapel , 10151 Gravois. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, June 12, 9:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 4200 Ripa.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (svdpstlouis.org) or the Delta Gamma Center for children with visual impairments (dgckids.org).
We were privileged to share many holiday and birthday parties with Jim at Tim and Barb’s house. He dearly loved his grandchildren and left them with many happy memories.
I’ve known Jim for many years. I was a sales Rep for Midland Optical for 25 years. I was very found of Jim. My prayers and thoughts for all of you
So sorry for your loss you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I was Jim’s eighth grade teacher. I loved Jim. He was always a “live wire.” He was always involved in any special antics that went on in the classroom. He made teaching that class a lot of fun. He was in the class that was my favorite. May his dear soul rest in peace. Mary Ann Wolfzorn (Sister John Elizabeth)
OMG …. I would truly love to sit down and talk with you! Jim and I both loved you as a .teacher. We talked of you often. You had a great impact on our lives!
Chris (Rooney ) Roche
Best wishes old friend and classmate. Always admired how you enjoyed life and always ready to laugh.
Jimmy was so loved by so many including my mother and father Carolyn and Bill Rooney. Jimmy was a great cousin, friend to all, a great father, son and grandfather. This world will not be the same without him. I’m so sad.
Years ago, I took my Mother to Jim’s store to get work done on her glasses. A few days later, my Mom called me at work, to tell me that her glasses were ready! I had to tell her that we could maybe get them when I got off work. She called Jim and told him she didn’t know when we could come because of their store hours and my work hours. Jim came to her house delivered the glasses & adjusted them for her!!! That’s just the kind of guy he was! Our condolences to the Rooney family.
Jim was my instructor when I was getting my optician certification and later was my boss at Mercy Eyecare. He was always approachable and fun to work for. My husband and I even got to enjoy some dinners and wine with him and Dodie You will surely be missed Jim. Rest in Peace. Mary Kelly
I had the priveledge of meeting Jim when I worked at Mercy. He was such a great guy. Always smiling and cheerful and so much fun whether at work or away from the office. I loved his energy and warmth. He did, indeed, consider his co-workers his family. Everyone knew it. He was the poster boy for Mercy Service standards! Noone did it better than Jim Rooney. He will be remembered and missed. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.
I have told Jim’s St Louis Hop story many times. Those that were with me know it well and will never forget it. Jim truly was the life of the party. We will miss you old friend. RIP
I have always believed that God has a path for you, and He put Jim Rooney in the middle of mine. Jim came into my life when I needed a new job and he needed a new manager. It was the best thing that ever happened to me and I’m sure he regretted his decision on many occasions. I learned more from Jim than he would ever know, and more than he ever intended to teach me, including how to selflessly give to others, quietly, without fanfare. How to serve as an act of love. How to cherish your family and hold them close. How to work hard, think fast and always be looking for the next big deal.
I missed you the day you left Mercy, Jim, and this world will never be the same without you in it.
The Murdoch Ave. Rooney House was our rendezvous hub, an Open House of tweens often spilling off front porch onto Macklind Ave., and alley ash pit diving. Jim was our Rascal Alfalfa, Our Gang’s conscience when Dan Nuelle, Jim Dwyer and Larry Stein stirred neighborhood mayhem. He loved mischievous pranks and girls too much for Prep South Seminary. He loved his Schicker cousins and naming car’s make&models. I loved you Jim Rooney.
Prayers and thoughts to Jim’s immediate family and to his five sisters. We could not ask for better next-door neighbors than the Rooneys while growing up in Magdalen’s Parish! Recalling many hours we shared playing step ball, run-ups in our gangway, football, baseball, or soccer at Magdalen or in our alley, snowball fights across our backyard fence, and snow sledding on Murdoch’s “steep” alley, Jim was a quality kid to make those childhood experiences more memorable. I was very fortunate to have known Jim in our youth.
I have lost touch with Jim over the decades, but it is no surprise to read the comments from others to learn that, as an adult, Jim was well-respected and positively impacted those with whom he came in contact.
May Jim Rest in Peace!
It was hard not to smile when Jim entered the room. Fun and/mischief were soon to follow. He had a huge heart. Rest in peace, dear friend. Prayers to Dodie and family, and Chris and siblings.
I met Jim in 1970 Thur his Uncle Jack at a place called Mackland pub. I was an underage regular as Jim would laugh about. He told stories about I was her best customer & I was 19 lol Over the next several years we had a lot of fun at that place. He liked to have fun. I got to meet his sister ,Mother & Message Father and of course future wife Dody. How he got that lucky we’ll never know. I could tell many funny stories but bottom line is he’ll be missed by many. Sorry I couldn’t be there. Had planned Canada trip. RIP my friend.
I am a high school classmate of Jim. I remember seeing sometime later at Mercy in the optical department. He was a great classmate and real organizer for our sports in the high school seminary. I will keep him and the family in my prayers.
I never left an encounter with Jim that I did not leave with a smile on my face.
Since our days at Magdalen Jim was always a guy that had time to poke a jab or just take time to talk. And we all know Jim could talk and would usually have the last word. I was fortunate over the years to run into Jim at Mercy and more fortunate to see that he moved across the street from my wife Diane’s parents, the Schmidts. It gave me another chance for an encounter and another smile.
Rest in Peace Jim.
I’ll always remember your kind approachable style. Always a smile and a generous soul. I truly thank you for opening the Mercy Optical shop as it’s brought me many good friends as coworkers and eventually brought me my optician hubby, Mark Smith. It was a honor to have you and Dodi at our wedding. Your ripple effect traveled far.
What Nativity Set? I don’t know anything about the missing Nativity Set. …1970
Jim and Ed Donnelly were my husbands best friends during their high school and college years. Jim was a laugh a minute. I know every story by heart, Jim is one of those people that even if you haven’t seen him for years, you start right where you left off, as if only a few days had passed. I will always remember him fondly.
I’m very sad to hear about Jim’s passing. I was also a Mercy co-worker and enjoyed talking with him for many years. He helped many of our clinic patients with glasses and visual issues. Sending prayers to his family and friends.
I had the privilege of meeting Jim when I first started my sales career and he gave me an opportunity to earn his business at Mercy Eye Care. Over the years of getting to know Jim I learned of his big heart as well as the passion and enthusiasm in everything he did. So sorry to learn of his passing. Sending thoughts and prayers to Dodie, his family, friends, and his peers. Rest easy, Jim.
I remember Jim and Dan Nuelle from high school days. Jim drove a white convertible Mustang and Dan had a Triumph I believe. They were great guys and went on to have wonderful lives and families. Sending my thoughts and prayers.
Dodie and family –
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a good man who truly gave of himself. We have fond memories of your family from MQU. God bless all of you.
Lou & I were so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to Dodie and family.
Jim was our daughter’s basketball coach at Mary, Queen of the Universe. We always enjoyed visiting with Jim & Dodie after Sunday masses.
Lou & Sara Favazza