ROONEY, Liam Sebastian

Kingman Daily Miner, Kingman, AZ - Published on June 25, 2013 - Liam Sebastian Rooney, 83, of Kingman left his earthly body on Sunday, June 2, 2013, to pursue his next adventure. Liam was born March 10, 1930, in Chicago to Francis and Miriam Rooney, the second of five children. At age 20, Liam married Michel Moore, whom he met while working as a door-to-door salesman. They soon welcomed their first child, Liam Francis, later followed by Miriam, Christopher, Matthew, Benjamin and Susan. As a young father, Liam worked for Wanzer Dairy to support his family while attending the University of Chicago. His time at Wanzer Dairy included working in the bottling plant and delivering milk and other dairy products throughout Chicago. He loved to tell stories of his time as a milkman. In 1960, Liam graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor of arts degree and went on to complete a master's degree in education administration in 1963. Liam remained an educator in many roles throughout the rest of his life. While teaching kindergarten in Evanston, Ill., Liam met Ann Brakel. In 1983 they married in the Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott. The following year their first son, Francis, was born. Two more sons followed: Padraic in 1987 and Sean in 1990. Also in 1990, the family moved to Kingman, where Liam taught at the Hackberry school. Liam later taught at Sheriff Joe Cook's SHOCK Incarceration Unit and Mohave Community College. In his last years, Liam determinedly drove to Phoenix every week, volunteering as a tutor to African refugees. Liam was dearly loved and highly thought of by all who knew him. Liam was deeply dedicated to athletics and competed in many triathlons. He also gave countless hours volunteering for the poor and the imprisoned, always an advocate for peace and justice as both an educator and as a frequent contributor of letters to the editor of the Kingman Daily Miner. Liam loved and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. He enriched many lives and will be greatly missed. Liam is survived by his brothers, Sean of Prescott and Miceal of Mundelein, Ill.; his sons, Liam of Fort Collins, Colo., Christopher of Willits, Calif., Matthew of Berkeley, Calif., Francis of Denver, Colo., Padraic of Redmond, Wash., and Sean of Flagstff,; his daughters, Miriam Hughes of Hendersonville, N.C., and Susan Hanley of Gurnee, Ill.; and his grandchildren, Erin Rooney of Fort Collins, Thomas and Riley Ryan of Gurnee, and Olivia Green of Las Vegas. Liam was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Benjamin; his brother, James; his sister, Maura; and his granddaughter, Darcy Ryan. Please join us for a celebration of Liam's life and the time we shared with him at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27, at Dora's Beale Street Deli Catering and Fine Dining, 509 E. Beale St.