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Bernard "Turk" Rooney
Bernard "Turk" Rooney
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Bernard Rooney Obituary
Turk had three loves in life: his faith, his family and his friends. His greatest joy in life was being a Redemptorist priest. His love for his family — his twin sister "Toots", her husband and children — knew no bounds. And of course, he loved his extended family — the Saint Alphonsus Parish — which was his home and safe haven, providing him constant love and support. Numerous relatives, the Rooneys, Malewitzs and others too numerous to mention, were so important in his life. His list of friends was endless, including fellow priests, local golf buddies and Senior Tour players across the country.
Turk would begin Senior Golf Tour events with Mass and lead prayer services throughout the tournaments. Turk absolutely loved the game of golf and played until the last years of his life.
He was a fixture in the Catholic community at countless activities and outings, and was recently inducted into the West Catholic Hall of Fame. His Christmas card list was so extensive he started writing and addressing envelopes before Thanksgiving. Holidays were often spent in Traverse City, including the celebration of Christmas Mass at his sister's home.
Turk attended Mt. Mercy and St. Alphonsus schools. He became a Redemptorist in 1954 and was ordained a priest on July 2, 1959. Turk was a gifted preacher, taught at the Redemptorist Seminary and was an active Redemptorist Missionary working in parishes throughout the country. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Alphonsus Church from 1985-2007. Turk announced his retirement June 16, 2007.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, George and Helen Rooney.
He is survived by his loving twin sister, Bernadette "Toots" (William) McGee of Traverse City; nieces and nephews, Kathy (McGee) Cecchi, Kevin McGee, Kieran (Kevin Shafer) McGee, Patty (Mike) Martin, Dan (Janet) McGee, Mary (Fran) Cullen, Tom (Barb) McGee, John McGee, Bill (Staci) McGee; 17 great-nieces and -nephews; and one great-grandnephew.
Visitation will take place this evening, Aug. 27, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Alphonsus Church, 224 Carrier St., NE, in Grand Rapids; and Thursday, Aug. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., with a Wake Service at 8 p.m. led by Rev. Thomas Danielson, C.Ss.R.
Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at St. Alphonsus Church, with Turk's dear friends, Rev. Thomas Donaldson, C.Ss.R., Rev. Thomas Danielson, C.Ss.R. and Rev. Denis Ryan, C.Ss.R., presiding. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Grand Rapids.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Fr. Turk may be made to St. Alphonsus Capital Campaign, 224 Carrier St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
Arrangements are by the O'Brien-Eggebeen—Gerst Funeral Home of Grand Rapids; www.gerstfuneralhomes.com
This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
BILL BERGIN
September 4, 2008
AS A FELLOW TEAMMATE OF TURK'S ON THE 1947 ST.ALPHONSUS BASKETBALL TEAM HE WILL BE MISSED BUT I AM SURE HE WILL BE REWARDED FOR ALL HIS GREAT DEEDS AND WILL BE BUSY STILL HELPING OTHERS IN HEAVEN.
Ken and Linda Still
August 31, 2008
Hard to believe our own" Friar Tuck"
has gone home! He was such a devoted friend and advisor. Turk sweated around many a round of golf with me following Ken and shared my tears when Ken was leading the tournament and setting a course record one of the years we played in Grand Rapids. Ken and I shall miss him terribly and are so grateful that we got to speak to him just a week before he passed away.
God Speed Turk and pray for us.
Laura & Jerry Scobey
August 30, 2008
Father Turk was loved as a truly kind man. Our family will miss him greatly. Enjoy the game Father, you've earned the grace of God by being an example of grace to your fellow man. Thank You for your loving help over the years & for watching over our 5 grandaughters at St. Alphonsus.
Michelle VandeZande
August 29, 2008
Thank the Lord for letting so many of us know and be inspired by Fr Turk! When he gave a homily, I could always count on a laugh or a cry, or at the very least a thought to take home and reflect on for the coming week. What a special man! What a bright light lost. I am thankful for the times our family had with him. God Bless his precious soul!
God comfort his family and many friends,
Mark & Michelle VandeZande and Family
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Sirak K
August 28, 2008
Thank you Fr. Turk for all you have done for the community. Rest In Peace.
Andy Wohlfert
August 28, 2008
Fr. Turk did my sisters wedding in '05 and it was a great service sorry for your loss rooney family and we will miss him
Mary T.
August 28, 2008
I never knew Fr. "Turk" but I am always saddened when we lose a great Priest. I know he will be missed by all that knew him including friends, parishioner's, and family, especially his niece Maggie who is grieving his loss...God Bless You Father!
Phyllis Thatcher
August 28, 2008
Fr. Turk, will truly be missed by so many. He was so kind and helpful. He helped me and my family when my mother passed away and officated her funeral. You have finished your work here on earth and now you are with our heavenly father.
From the family of...Doug, David Herrington and Phyllis (Herrington)Thatcher
Dave Ross
August 28, 2008
Father Turk now officially becomes Saint Turk. I will always remember you saying, "BIBLE" Basic Information Before Leaving Earth. You had all the basic information and shared it with us. Thank you!
Pam and Doug Prins
August 27, 2008
Father Turk married us in 1999. We moved away, but whenever we attended Mass at St. Al's he always had a big hug and a big hello for us. He was a great priest.
Elizabeth Sanders
August 27, 2008
Father Turk had some of the most memorable homilies my family and I ever heard. We still share them from time to time.
His gift for story telling, humor and love for the people in his parish will be missed.
God Bless you, Father Turk.
Lisa (Hormuth) Howard
August 27, 2008
Thanks for all you have done Turk. The Hormuth's will always remember you:)
Michelle and Terry Linn
August 27, 2008
Father Turk was the finest missionary of his faith that the Lord could want. He married us in 1995, baptised our children and was a friend to us like he was to so many others. Through his own love of his faith and of life Turk made you proud of your faith and happy to practice it.
Jeffrey DeBoer
August 27, 2008
Father Turk:
You will be greatly missed.
Peggy Thiel
August 27, 2008
Father Turk became a part of my life when my husband Bob went to work at St. Alphonsus. He became a good friend to us and our three children. They would stop to the rectory after school and were always greeted with a big hug and a laugh or two from Turk. Thank you Turk for all of your love and support for our family and the family of St. Alphonsus.
Beri Bek
August 27, 2008
What a wonderful person! A great man with an excellent sense of humor and fantastic storyteller. I'm sure he's getting great tee times in Heaven. Godspeed Father Turk!
Jenny & Chris McBride
August 27, 2008
Father Turk officiated our wedding in July of 2003 at St. Alphonsus. We enjoyed our time spent with him and his family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.
Brian McKay
August 27, 2008
Thank you Fr. Turk for being there for us when we needed you the most. Your memory will live on in our parrish forever.
Bob Kropewnicki
August 27, 2008
Father Turk was always a great listener. He was always willing to drop what he was doing to stop and receive a visitor. He truly will be missed as even in retirement it was comforting to see him sitting there in the front row. I am sure as Father O'Conner heard Father Turk was in heaven's waiting room, he had a tee-time time set up for them on heavens golf course.
Judy Belanger
August 27, 2008
Dear Bernie:
Who at Lake Leelanau St. Mary's could forget Fr. Rooney? He was the kindest man. I'll never forget the night the church steeple was struck by lightening. Fr. Rooney was there! According to Father, the lightening strike blew the outlets off the wall in his bedroom and abruptly brought him out of a deep sleep. He heard a knock on the rectory door and answered in his night clothes. It was Tommy Couturier who had been driving by and saw that the church was on fire. Tom's quick response helped save the church, although Father always wondered what a St. Mary's student was doing out that late on a school night. It was quite a night for the people of Lake Leelanau. Traverse City's Fire Dept. was on the scene within 20 minutes (I heard) with their new ladder truck, Tower One. T. C. had just taken possession of Tower One and St. Mary's fire was the 1st time Tower One was used. The new truck saved the church, confining fire damage to the church steeple and bell tower. No doubt Tower One was a great assist to the local firemen that night. Father told that story and so many others about his life and family in a way befitting a true Irishman. Father's friendship was a gift to all of us. Charlie and I were saddened to hear of his death.
Sincerely,
Judy Belanger
Dave and Wendy (Gaynor) Sipka
August 27, 2008
Fr. Turk will be missed by so many people. He will be remembered as a pillar of faith that supported so many faith communities.
Jill Nethercott
August 27, 2008
Fr. Turk was truly a Godsend to me when I was so terribly ill in the hospital during my second pregnancy. Through his visits and calls he showed such great compassion, caring and understanding. That was the beginning of an extra-special relationship between he and my family. He will be greatly missed!
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