James Rooney, longtime resident of Kew Gardens, Queens, passed away unexpectedly in January 2024. A small memorial ceremony was held at Jones Beach in May. James, known by those close to him as Jimmy, was born on May 17, 1955. He was the first son of Audrey and John Rooney, who joyfully adopted him from Angel Guardian Home in Brooklyn, NY. Jimmy was a lover of beauty. During his youth in Wantagh, on Long Island, he spent his free time enjoying the splendor of Long Island gardens, heading to the beach with his friends, and listening to music. He graduated from Wantagh High School in 1973 and attended Farmingdale State College. In his twenties, he moved to New York City, where he met his lifelong partner, Steve Polterzisky, who passed in 2018. They lived together in Kew Gardens, where they spent over twenty-five wonderful years entertaining friends and collecting many unique items. At the beginning of his career, he worked as a jeweller before moving to the US Census Bureau, where he worked for over thirty years. Jimmy was loved by his friends and family for his dry sense of humor, his listening ear, and his gentleness. He had an impressive list of restaurants where he would bring his family to eat when they visited New York, he knew how to find the perfect card for any occasion, and he loved animals and flowers. His living family includes his sister Roberta Gore and brother-in-law Jack Gore of Westminster, Maryland, niece Hannah Gore, and two nephews, Luke and Sean Gore. He will be greatly missed. Visits back to Long Island and trips into the city will never quite be the same without him. In lieu of flowers or monetary donations, Jimmy’s family would like simply to remind readers of the importance of reaching out to close ones before the moment slips by too soon. 
