James Francis Rooney

James Francis Rooney, age 89, passed away peacefully with his family by his side Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Aurora Medical Center Mount Pleasant. He was born in Racine, September 29, 1935, son of the late Cornelius and Mabel (Nee: Behrend) Rooney.

James, known as Jim or Francis by his family, attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Grade School and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church until his death. He graduated from St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1953” and was inducted into the Saint Catherine’s Hall of Fame in 1997. Following high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. On January 20, 1960, at Sacred Heart Church in Indiana he married the “love of his life” Nancy Schulz, and they were blessed with 4 children, Erin, James, John and Richard. After service, Jim joined Nielsen Madsen & Barber Consulting Engineers and Land Surveyors and served as a Field Surveyor and Business Manager from 1957 to 1973.

After his family, Jim had two great passions in life – sailing and public service.

Jim was a life member of the Racine Yacht Club. Jim’s love of sailing began in his childhood growing up on the near north side of Racine along North Beach. He was a young aspiring sailor that formed and founded the Racine Yacht Club (RYC) Juniors in 1947. His passion for sailing ran as deep as Lake Michigan, and he sailed countless races near and far from home with some of his dearest lifelong friends and members of the RYC. It was those same friends that voted Jim as the RYC Commodore in 1966. Jim was instrumental in getting the pier system in place at the RYC in the early 1960’s that is still enjoyed by members today.

His love for the water was equally rivalled by his passion for public service. Jim ran for Racine County Board 4th District in 1966 and held that seat until 1984. He returned to represent the same district from 2000 to 2002. Jim also served as County Board Vice Chairman and Chairman from 1980 to 1984. His greatest honor politically was being elected to the Wisconsin State Legislature as an Assemblyman representing the 61st District of the City of Racine, where he also served as the Democratic Caucus Chairman. Jim prided himself on reaching across the aisle to get things done for the citizenry he served, long before politics became so partisan.

One of his greatest accomplishments involved water and politics. Jim was a linchpin and catalyst in working with the federal government to decommission an old commercial port and have it recommissioned as a recreational harbor. Thus began a several years long process in changing the face of Downtown Racine and eastern Racine County into what is now known and enjoyed by all to this day as Reefpoint Marina. Jim also served as the Chairman of the Racine Board of Harbor Commissioners for several decades retiring in 2019.

His achievements for the community did not go unnoticed, as he was unanimously approved by the Racine County Board as Racine County Highway Commissioner from 1984 to 1988 and then appointed by the Racine County Executive as Racine County Public Works Director from 1988 until his retirement from public service in 1995. His work serving the public, particularly those that enjoyed all types of boating, carried on as the Chair of the Wisconsin State Waterways Commission. Jim was first appointed to the commission in 1985 by Governor Tony Earl, being reappointed by Governors Tommy Thompson, Scott McCallum, Jim Doyle & Scott Walker until he retired from the Chair in 2019. Jim created the legislation for the Waterways Commission in 1977 that provides dedicated boat fuel taxes to improve marinas, piers and waterways in waters of the State along Lakes Michigan and Superior, the Mississippi River and all public inland waters. Jim also served on the Southeast Regional Planning Commission appointed by Governor Earl and on the Regional Transportation Authority Commission appointed by Governor Thompson. Jim also was a member of the Racine Heritage Museum Board. In addition to these great honors, Jim was recognized for countless achievements and awards at the federal, state and local level.

Beyond sailing and politics, he cherished his family, friends and Irish heritage. He had an unmistakable sense of humor. Jim wore many hats, figuratively and literally, and enjoyed wearing them to celebrate the holidays that were most special to him. In addition to the hats, he adorned many costumes including Superman tights, a gorilla outfit, and a backless tuxedo that showed off his better backside. Jim loved holiday traditions and ones such as providing hotdogs to his guests at the Fourth of July parade and the best seat in the house for fireworks at night, Christmas Eve celebrations at home with family and friends, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations locally or afar, and just having someone over to yell at the TV during Packers, Badgers & Notre Dame football games. Above all he treasured the time spent with his family. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who will be dearly missed.

Surviving is his wife of 65 years, Nancy; children, Erin Rooney Phillips (Danny Phillips), James C. (Theresa) Rooney, John C. (Margret) Rooney; daughter-in-law, Erika Rooney; grandchildren, Jonathon, Ryan, Sarah, Andrew, Matthew, Connell, Katelyn, Colleen, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Richard on March 27, 2024, and his siblings, Joan (Lawrence) Fox, Robert Rooney, Kathleen (John) Nielsen, Elizabeth (Harold) Petersen, Richard (Avis) Rooney, John (Inez) Rooney, and his father and mother-in-law Herman & Frieda (Nee: Krenzke) Schulz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, May 23, 2025, 11:30 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St with Reverend Steve Varghese officiating. Relatives and friends may meet prior to Mass from 10 am until 11:15 am. Private interment with full military honors will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials to the Racine Yacht Club Youth Foundation have been suggested.