David Martin Roney, Jr.

David M. Roney, Jr. passed away on 28 May 2011 at the age of 88.

The son of David Martin Roney and Dorothy Koenemann Roney, he was born in Philadelphia, PA on 8 September, 1922. David entered the United States Naval Academy following his graduation in 1940 from Frankford High School, Philadelphia. Under the accelerated wartime program, he graduated from the Naval Academy on 9 June 1943 and was married the same day to Madeline Dolores Sandbeck, also hailing from Philadelphia.

Following their honeymoon in Sea Island, GA, David reported to Jacksonville NAS awaiting orders, and shipped out on Boise shortly thereafter. He served on Boise as a Gunnery Officer in the South Pacific during which time he earned a Purple Heart while the ship was being heavily shelled off the coast of New Guinea. He returned in 1945 to basic and multi-engine flight training at NAS Pensacola, NAS Hutchison, KS and NAS Ottumwa, IA before permanent duty at NAS Oak Harbor, WA and NAS Kodiak, AK. He flew numerous missions throughout the Aleutian Islands in the PB-4Y-2 Liberator.

David left active duty in 1949 to attend Law School at the University of Pennsylvania. His business career in the metals and energy business spanned numerous locations (Sidney, NY, Detroit MI, Pittsburgh, PA, Fair Haven NJ, and Lafayette, CA) and companies (Bendix, Westinghouse, Hanson Van Winkle, International Nickel, Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical, California Energy, and Chevron). After his retirement, he served as an advisor to Dr. Armand Hammer at Occidental Petroleum. David and Madeline moved to Newport Beach, CA in 1998.

He was a devoted husband of 56 years and never truly recovered from the loss of his beloved Madeline in 1999. He was also predeceased by his grandson Derek. Those left to honor and cherish his life and our memories include his sons, David III, Stephen and Winfield; his daughters in-law Marcy, Karen and Elizabeth; his grandchildren David IV and wife Shelly, Matthew, Stephen Jr. and his wife Jamie, Thomas and his wife Kristen, James, Michael and Maggie; as well as his great grandchildren David V, Myles, Caitlin and Lauren.

David will be remembered for his devotion to Madeline and family, his sense of humor, his work ethic, and his precision in all matters, including the composition of the perfect martini and Irish coffee. A private memorial service with military honors was held 1 July at Pacific View Memorial Park, Corona del Mar, CA.

The Roney Family