The grandson of legendary Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Matthew, has tragically died at the age of 51.
According to an obituary, he passed away at his home in East Hampton on August 15. A cause of death has not been given.
‘The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew,’ a Steelers spokesperson said in a statement to The New York Post.
Matthew was the son of JoAnn and John J. Rooney, who was a minority shareholder of the Steelers until he sold most of his 16 per cent stake in 2009.
He graduated from NYU before getting a Master’s at Columbia University. The obituary reveals he split his time between New York and Los Angeles, before settling down in Brooklyn Heights and East Hampton.
Matthew was ‘a writer and artist, a lover of literature and passionate about ballet and opera’, the obituary says while adding his ‘wit, charm and love of fashion made him one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bon Vivant.’
The grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Matthew, has died at the age of 51
Art Rooney was the chairman and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers until he died in 1988
Matthew is survived by his mother, four older siblings, 15 nieces and nephews and 18 great nieces and nephews.
The Rooney family has been a cornerstone of the NFL since Art led the team into the league back in 1933. He was the franchise’s chairman and owner until he died in 1988.
Art’s son, Dan, was then named president of the team in 1975. He also held onto the role until his death in 2002 when his son, Art Rooney II, took over.
Art II, Matthew’s cousin, is still in charge of the Steelers to this day and he operates as the team’s owner and president.
The Rooney family will gather for a funeral mass and burial in Pennsylvania on August 21.
