FRANCIS ROONEY

ROONEY--Francis C.

Francis C. Rooney, Jr., the Chairman of H.H. Brown Shoe Company and the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melville Corporation, died on March 24, 2015 at Greenwich Hospital. He was 93 years old. Rooney was married for 65 years to the love of his life, the former Frances Heffernan of Worcester, Massachusetts. One of the leading retail executives of his generation, Rooney transformed Melville Corporation from a shoe company with $180 million in revenue at the time he became chief executive officer at age 42 into a specialty retail business with over $7 billion of revenue at the time of his retirement in 1987. In 1987, Melville's businesses included Marshall's, Linens & Things, K.B. Toys and CVS Drug Stores. Today the company's name has changed from Melville Corp to CVS Health Corporation. In 1990, after three years of retirement, Rooney agreed to become CEO of H.H. Brown Shoe Co., Inc., which was owned by his late father-in -law. In 1991, the company was sold to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and at Warren Buffett?s request he became Chairman. In a press interview, Mr. Buffett concluded, Frank "is a sensational human being and a great manager." Throughout his adult life Rooney maintained a commitment to numerous civic, charitable and education causes. He was one of the founding trustees of the Inner City Scholarship Fund, which today provides over 30,000 inner city children with scholarships to attend Catholic schools in New York City. He also served as a trustee of United Cerebral Palsy; Greenwich Hospital; March of Dimes; Smithsonian Institute; Boys & Girls Club of America; St. Ignatius School in the Bronx; The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania; Pace University; and Fordham University. In 1987, Rooney received an honorary degree from Boston College. In addition, Rooney served on the Board of Directors of Bankers Trust Company; Collins & Aikman Textile Company; ADT; AMF Corporation; Black & Decker; Dunkin Donuts; and Neiman Markus. Frank Rooney was born at home in North Brookfield, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1921. He graduated in 1939 from North Brookfield High School where he was captain of the basketball team, and he received his bachelor degree from the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) in 1943. He graduated as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was assigned that year to the battleship USS North Carolina in the Pacific. He was aboard as a gunnery officer in 10 major engagements between 1943 and 1945. He began his business career in 1946 as a sales trainee with the John Foote Shoe Company in Brockton, Massachusetts. Two years later, he went to work for the Florsheim Shoe Company in Chicago, and in 1953 he joined the Thom McAn Shoe Company, a subsidiary of Melville Shoe Corporation, as a buyer/ stylist. He rose to President of Thom McAn in 1961 and in 1964 he was elected Chairman, President and CEO of Melville Shoe Corporation. Mr. Rooney is survived by his beloved wife Frances Heffernan and eight children: Peter M. Rooney (Kathy) of Basking Ridge, NJ; Michael F. Rooney (Joann) of New Rochelle, NY; Stephen G. Rooney (Susan) of Pelham Manor, NY; Jean R. Weil (Jerry) of Greenwich, CT; William A. Rooney (Amy) of Charlotte, NC; Carol R. Flanagan (James) of Greenwich, CT; Frances R. Cifrino (Michael) of Hingham, MA and Clare R. Butler (David) of Harrison, NY, as well as 27 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Mr. Rooney was an avid golfer and a long time member of Blind Brook Golf Club, Winged Foot Golf Club, Ekwanok Golf Club, Sankaty Head Golf Club, Seminole Golf Club, Lyford Cay Club and Lost Tree Club. The family will receive friends at the Graham Funeral Home, 1036 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY 10580 on Friday from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection on Saturday at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Inner City Scholarship Fund. For information go to innercityscholarshipfund.org.