John M. Rooney ’71

John died Oct. 17, 2018, at his home in Southold, Long Island, N.Y., of strokes triggered by a long struggle with esophageal cancer.

John came to Princeton from Seton Hall High School in Patchogue, Long Island. At Princeton he majored in history, was a member of Colonial, and lived with Mauro Lapetina and Eric Mazur in Foulke sophomore through senior year. “Roon” kept busy as a Commons captain and multiple letter-winner in baseball and 150-pound football. Classmates remember him for his athletic talent, ready smile, calmness, positive attitude, and respect for others.

His first marriage to Sherry produced his daughters, Kara and Jennifer, and two grandchildren. He later adopted John Andrew. John married his last wife, Karen Lund, in 2014.

John’s successful career as an executive in the food industry took him internationally to the Asia-Pacific region, Western Europe, Mexico, Canada, and domestically to New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California, Georgia, and back to a historic house on Long Island. In John’s words: “Experiencing new cultures and having the opportunity to interface with and mentor business professionals with broad educational backgrounds and heritages have allowed me and my family members to grow and develop into better citizens of the world.”

The class extends its condolences to Karen, Kara, Jennifer, John Andrew, and other family and friends.