James (Jim) Lawrence Rooney, 76, of Vero Beach, Florida passed away peacefully at the Hospice House of Vero Beach on March 13, 2022, due to complications related to his ongoing and courageous battle with lymphoma.

Jim was born on June 26, 1945, in Amarillo, Texas to William and Betty Rooney. He was the oldest of 3 children. As the son of an Army captain, he traveled extensively which certainly cultivated his appreciation for travel and cultures. At the young age of 6, Jim contracted Polio and had to endure breathing with an iron lung. Despite those dire circumstances, he showed at an early age his strength, optimism, and zest for life, eventually, achieving a full recovery. He was then able to go on and enjoy many life-long activities such as running, tennis, boating, and skiing.

Jim graduated from Brown University in 1967 where he studied International Relations. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity where he developed life-long relationships. Shortly after graduation, he met the love of his life and wife of 53 years, Heidi Bollinger of Switzerland.

They fell madly in love and after a whirlwind courtship married shortly thereafter. Jim entered OTS and eventually became a captain in the Air Force where he served until 1972. He was stationed in many interesting locations, but he and Heidi especially enjoyed their time in Germany as it was an opportunity to get to know his new in-laws that lived in nearby Switzerland.

After returning to the United States, Jim moved the family to Tampa, FL where he began his career in investments at Merrill Lynch. Being the enterprising man that he was, Jim worked full time and attended the University of Tampa to earn his MBA. He graduated at the top of his class. In addition to his work at Merrill, he taught night classes at the University to business students. Jim’s career in investments spanned nearly 40 years. In 1986, Jim was selected to become the manager of what was then the Dean Witter office of Vero Beach. His career came full circle, and he retired from Merrill Lynch in 2012. Jim was an active member of both the Exchange Club of Tampa and the Rotary Club of Vero Beach. He was also a member of Quail Valley.

Jim was a devoted husband, father, and “Pop Pop”. He is survived by his wife Heidi, his daughters Linda Nelson and Heather Giulianotti of Vero Beach, his brother John Rooney of Washington D.C., sister Jeanette Lucier of Cape Charles, VA, and son-in-law Marc Giulionatti. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Thomas (Tommy), Bridget, Morgan, and Connor. Being a kind and dependable father was of the utmost importance to Jim and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to either VNA Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or Moffitt Center Foundation MBC-Found 12902 Magnolia Drive Tampa, FL 33612; online at Moffitt.org/donate