George Michael Rooney

Westminster- George Michael Rooney, sailed away September 17th, 2021 at Richard Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson, South Carolina, after a very long and courage fight with dementia.

 

He was born January 28th,1947 to Carl and Maggie Rooney in Middlebury, Vermont. George lived at Fort Peak, Montana as a young boy, growing up at Boysen Lake, Wyoming Government Camp for 10 years, Thermopolis Wyoming for two years and then in Casper, Wyoming until July 2019. George served in the United States Army from January 1967 to January 1969 with a “boots on the ground” 1968 tour of duty in Vietnam. George married Cheryl “KiKi” Barella, December 20th, 1969 in Casper, Wyoming. On May 22, 1970 they were blessed with the arrival of their son Thad. They remained in Casper with the exception of two years in Laramie, Wyoming where he received a BA degree in Education from the University of Wyoming.  George retired from Casper College in 2003, after 22 years, worked for one year with special needs adults, taught elementary special needs children for one year, for two years was a State of Wyoming case manager for two special needs teens. During his time at Casper College, he worked with the Special Olympics as the area coordinator. In July 2019 George and KiKi moved to Westminster, South Carolina living “at the water’s edge” on Lake Hartwell.

 

George lived life to the fullest every day, sailing was a passion be it on a Hobie Cat or a 30’ Catalina, it was an enormous part of his being. Once as a skipper on a 60’ sailboat for 10 days in the British Virgin Islands. Riding his mountain bike 1,000 miles one summer around Casper. Wyoming’s long winters were spent downhill and cross county snow skiing. He treasured time sailing and playing basketball with Thad. Driving the “auto casas” to Baja, Mexico for 20 years was always an adventure he enjoyed. When George put a pencil to a sketch pad it was always amazing and a joy to see what he created, many amazing enough to be put under glass and framed.  For 20 years he drew the designs for the Hobie Fleet 156 regatta t-shirts.  George sat on the board of the Casper Boat Club for three years and was a member for forty-four years. George was proud of this 100 % Irish heritage.

 

George is survived by his wife, their son, Thad and wife Elizabeth of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, his sister, Susan Cheatham of Florida, his brothers, Chris Rooney and wife Linda of Texas, Reed Rooney and wife Barb of Casper, Wyoming and Rex Rooney and wife Sally of Florida. His grandchildren, Brayden and Katelyn Rooney, many nieces and nephews, sister in-law, Joyce Bigge and brother in-law Dr. Christopher Bigge of New Mexico, and a treasure trove of lifelong friends.

 

George was preceded in death by his parents, his brother in-law Dr. Goode Cheatham and aunts and uncles.

 

George and KiKi were long time parishioners of St. Anthony’s Padua Catholic Church in Casper, Wyoming.

 

A Catholic funeral mass will be held in the Spring of 2022 in Casper, Wyoming for this kind, giving, and loving man. Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.