Obituary of Gavin J. Rooney, Sr.
Gavin J. Rooney, Sr., formerly of Franklin Road, Denville, passed away on February 18, 2026, at the age of 90.
Gavin was born in a taxicab on the Manhattan Bridge in New York City, delivered by a police officer. During high school, he moved with his family to Cedar Lake, Denville, and was a member of the first class to graduate from Morris Hills High School. He then served in the United States Air Force, including a deployment to Alaska. Upon his discharge, Gavin returned to Denville and, in honor of the circumstances of birth, decided to become a police officer himself. He joined the Denville Police Department as a Patrolman in 1958.
In 1962, Gavin married the love of his life, Edith Nanke, whom he met while water skiing on Indian Lake. They bought a home on Indian Lake, where the couple raised their only child. Gavin rose through the ranks of the Denville Police Department, achieving promotions to Sergeant and then Lieutenant. A lover of lakes, Gavin and his family enjoyed many summer vacations camping and boating in Lake George, New York.
After 31 years of service, Gavin retired from the Denville Police in 1990. He and Edith moved to Lake George, where the couple purchased a home overlooking the lake. Gavin took a summer position with the Lake George Park Commission, serving that community for another 14 years with a courtesy water patrol. Gavin and Edith spent their winter months in Florida, where Gavin pursued his passion for fishing, venturing out into the Atlantic several times a week in search of snappers, kingfish, and cobia.
Gavin will be remembered for his gift of gab and his love of telling stories, especially those about his times in Lake George, his days as a police officer, and the many foolish people that he encountered, even if he had a tendency to repeat the same stories that his audience had already heard. He taught his son and grandsons many things, including how to handle a boat and where to catch the best fish.
Gavin is survived by his wife of 64 years, Edith; his son, Gavin Jr., and his daughter-in-law Diane; and his three grandsons, Liam, Kieran and Logan. He was predeceased by his parents, Luke and Nellie Rooney, sister Rita Rooney, and his brother Luke Rooney. Donations in Gavin’s memory may be made to the Lake George Association, https://lakegeorgeassociation.org/memory-honor-someone
