A special Memorial Mass in honor of the late Ambassador Daniel M. Rooney, chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, will be held at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica on Sunday, July 30 at 11:30 a.m. Members of the Rooney family and representatives of the Pittsburgh Steelers organization will participate in the Memorial Mass.
Ambassador Rooney received an honorary doctorate from Saint Vincent College in 1999 and has been a lifelong friend of the Benedictine community and Saint Vincent College. His father Art Rooney Sr. brought the Steelers to the Saint Vincent campus 52 years ago. In 2000, Ambassador Rooney was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. He served as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012.
Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., noted that “Dan Rooney, through his long association with the Steelers, will be remembered as a strong, successful leader, and a good man, devoted to his family, to his parish church and to his many friends. We at Saint Vincent mourn his loss and are grateful for the many years of friendship.”
On April 29 a concert at Saint Vincent Basilica by the Pittsburgh Symphony was performed in memory of Ambassador Rooney.
Practice on July 30 opens to the public at 2:55 p.m.