Frank Charles (Charlie) Rooney died peacefully on August 15, 2024, in Tucson Arizona, after a yearlong battle with blood cancer. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean (Eleanor), son Luis (Jennifer), daughter Barbara and grandson Pedro Rooney.  He is also survived by his sister Mary Theresa McGuigan (Gerry McGuigan) and niece Maryanne McGuigan, residents of Carrickmacross, Ireland and nephew Peter McGuigan of Brussels, Belgium.

Charlie and his wife Jean have lived in Tucson since 2012, with daughter Barbara Sedano, and grandson Pedro.  However, they have dearly missed many friends in Detroit Michigan, where they lived and raised their family for more than 50 years.  In Michigan, they were active with justice and peace groups, beginning in the 1960s, especially The Alliance and the Archdiocese of Detroit Justice and Peace Office. A 1973 study trip organized by that office to Chile and Brazil led to many years of work on Latin American justice issues.  The final 20 years of his lifework in Detroit were with the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights.  In Tucson, both were active with the organization No More Deaths, working to end the suffering and death of migrants in southern Arizona.   Charlie and his wife Jean have always shared a strong commitment to these causes and organizations.

Charlie was born on May 2, 1939, and raised in Dearborn, Michigan, the only son of Catherine (Harrington) and Frank Rooney, who were among many immigrants from Ireland in the 1930s.    After his mother's death in 1943, he was lovingly raised by his aunt Annie and husband Jack Lang and was big brother to Mary Theresa (Lang) McGuigan.  His high school and college years were all at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, preparing for ordination as a Catholic priest.  Charlie was honored as one of 2 chosen from his graduating class for advanced theology studies at the North American College in Rome, Italy and was privileged to study there during the Second Vatican Council, 1961-1964. He was ordained in Rome in December 1964. Returning to the Archdiocese of Detroit, he was an assistant pastor at St Michael's parish in Pontiac, Michigan from 1965-1969.

His calling to God's service changed in January 1970, when he left the priesthood for studies at the University of Michigan, where he received a Ph.D. in Psychology in 1974.  After 5 years teaching in the Monteith College at Wayne State University, with advanced studies at the University of Detroit, he began a 20-year career as a clinical psychologist with the Clinic for Child Study, part of the Wayne County Juvenile Court.   Over those years, he received many awards.   One notable was an award from a national organization for the radio program he developed featuring interviews of teens who were incarcerated in the Wayne County Juvenile Detention facility.  Another notable award was for creating a Reading Program for teens in juvenile detention. This was funded by grants and an annual fundraiser Charlie organized, titled "Judicial Jazz", raising thousands of dollars for the program.

Charlie was an amazing, loving comrade and partner/traveler with Jean, a loving, and "always there" dad to Barbara and Luis, a fun and proud "papa" to Pedro,  a compassionate and generous friend.   He was an avid lover of folk music and Motown and most of all, "the Boss"- Bruce Springsteen.  Golfing helped him to relax and also stay fit.  And with all his accomplishments, Charlie's many friends and family members, along with colleagues from Wayne County - would likely say, in speaking of him – he was just so enjoyable, had a great laugh and many Irish jokes, was so kind and so interested in everyone he met.

Charlie's life will be celebrated in Tucson at a Mass of Resurrection at Most Holy Trinity church (2600 Greasewood Rd) on Saturday, August 31 at 10 am with viewing from 9-10am. '

Many Tucson friends will also have a memorial service and celebration on Saturday, September 21, 10 am at Southside Presbyterian Church (317 W. 23rd St.) Memorial donations may be made in Tucson to Keep Tucson Together, 730 S Osborne Ave, Tucson AZ 85701-2530 providing legal help to immigrants and migrants. Memorial donations in Detroit may be to the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, 9200 Gratiot Ave, Detroit 48213.