James P. Rooney

James Patrick “Pat” Rooney, 76, a resident of Bowie, Maryland since 1968, died on August 5, 2016 after surgical complications.  Pat is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara I. Rooney, daughter Claire Rossmark and husband Fred, daughter Sheila Ball and husband George, granddaughter Megan Leyh, and grandson Max Rossmark.             Pat was born on October 11, 1939 in Baltimore, Maryland to James I. and Anna B. Rooney.  Raised in the Highlandtown neighborhood of Baltimore, he graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in 1957.  He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Maryland and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Bowie State University.             The bulk of Pat’s career was spent working for Verizon and predecessor entities in a variety of customer service, accounting, and benefits administration positions.  After retiring from Verizon, he worked for approximately a decade as a manager at the Boy Scouts of America National Capital Scout Shop in Bethesda, Maryland, before finally retiring in 2006.             Pat was a lifelong Boy Scout.  As an adult, he held numerous leadership positions including scoutmaster, chartered organization representative, district committee member, unit commissioner, area commissioner, and roundtable commissioner.   In 1996 he received the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to Youth.              Pat was active member of the Baltimore Jaycees, Bowie Kiwanis, and Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, holding several officer positions.  In 1990, he was appointed as a member of the City of Bowie Human Resources Committee.  He was active for a number of years in the Bowie Interfaith Recreation Council, serving as a game official and as team captain for one of the volleyball teams.  Pat was also a chairperson for the American Heart Association.              After retiring, Pat was active with the Bowie Senior Center, serving on the center’s advisory board for several years and frequently enrolling in educational courses on various topics.  It was his great honor to lead a course on World War II in July 2016 as a capstone act of service.             Pat was a military history buff, as evidenced by his extensive library of all things military.  Other interests included birding, painting, movies and TV, and Volksmarching.  A knowledgeable, gregarious, and unconventional character, Pat was known for quizzing all he met with interesting trivia questions, earning him the affectionate nickname “Mr. Trivia.”  He was a remarkable man who was very much loved and will be truly missed. The family will receive visitors at the Beall Funeral Home, 6512 N.W. Crain Highway (Rt. 3 South) in Bowie, on Wednesday, August 10 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (pastoral service at 3:30).