PETER E. ROONEY
ULSTER PARK-Peter E. Rooney, 79, of Twin Brook Farm, Union Center Road, Ulster Park N.Y. died Tuesday, Jan. 5th, 2021 at Northern Dutchess Hospital, Rhinebeck, NY following a brief illness. He was born in Modena, N.Y. on April 13th, 1941, the son of the late Alexander and Margaret (Smith) Rooney, both RNs who met at nursing school. His dad was one of the rst male nurses to graduate from Fordham in NYC. From a very young age, Peter’s broad-minded parents instilled in him an unquenchable thirst for originality and independence, and taught him the sky’s the limit! At 15, his fascination with ying became a reality, barnstorming with a seasoned pilot in his crop dusting airplane. The rest of his life was a series of adventures and journeys embracing fatherhood; teaching in the classroom; teaching in the air as a xed-wing aircraft and hot air balloon ight instructor; creating businesses; raising Bison; growing grapes in Argentina, and cultivating a vast network of friends around the world. Peter’s greatness, which endeared him to so many, was his gift of being non judgmental... no matter who you were or what your stature in life. In short, he treated everyone the same... welcoming all with kindness and respect. He will always be remembered as a brilliant guy, full of life, laughter and great stories! He graduated from New Paltz High School class of 1959 and Oswego State University in 1963. At Oswego he was an invited member to the Mensa Society, a group of people with high IQ’s who gathered to discuss, interact and challenge ideas. Later in life he decided that, as a successful businessman in the Hudson Valley, he had an obligation, as a citizen, to try to change state government by saving and creating jobs, supporting term limits, and reducing regulation in the workplace and businesses, which he felt would ultimately create more opportunities for all. In 2013 he ran for the New York State Assembly, losing by a thread. He always rose to the occasion for justice and fairness in all aspects of life. His love and respect for the land has been a lifelong priority as witnessed by his interest in the protection of the environment and habitats for animals. A friend once said you can judge a person by how he treats animals...enter Peter Rooney! Peter is survived by his wife of 44 years, Ande Rooney; daughters, Lisa Wilson (BJ) and Lauren Rooney (Bobby Knoth) of New Paltz; beloved grandsons, Alex Wilson of Boston, Mass. and Dylan Winslow of New Paltz; sisters, Mincey Slate of Cleveland, N.Y. and Karen Allen of Bernhards Bay, N.Y. as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews. In loving memory of Peter, please plant a tree, rescue an animal, send memorial donations to St. Remy Fire Department, POB 124, Ulster Park, N.Y., TEVAS POB 910, Port Ewen, N.Y. or your local Alzheimer’s support group. A celebration of Peter’s life will be held later this year once restrictions of the pandemic are lifted. The Gilpatric-VanVliet Funeral Home, 339 Broadway, Ulster Park, Town of Esopus, is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.gvvfh.com