By Rusty Brainard

Special to the Star-Advertiser

John J.B. Rooney, an ocean scientist and ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center in Honolulu, died Jan. 16 after a scuba-diving accident off Portlock in Hawaii Kai four days before his 56th birthday. He was born in Salem, Mass.

Rooney, an experienced and avid skydiver, scuba diver and surfer, was on a recreational technical dive with two other longtime diving friends at the time of the accident.

In his work, Rooney led the 10-member Ecospatial Information Team with NOAA’s Coral Reef Ecosystem Program and the Pacific Islands Benthic Habitat Mapping Center at the University of Hawaii. The effort is aimed at mapping and exploring the seafloor habitats and coral reefs around Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marianas and other U.S. islands, atolls and seamounts across the Pacific.

Rooney had a particular passion for exploring deep coral reefs using advanced diving techniques, remotely operated vehicles and towed camera systems. Often at sea, Rooney participated in about 50 shipboard and other field missions around the Pacific.

The research and habitat maps that Rooney and his team developed serve as the basis for management and conservation of coral reefs and fisheries around the Pacific islands. His work often received noteworthy recognition, including the NOAA Team Member of the Year award in 2009.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Tulane University in 1982, Rooney joined the Navy, serving as an officer aboard the USS Strauss. Later he attended the University of Hawaii, where he received his Master of Science degree in oceanography in 1995 and his doctorate in coastal geology in 2002.

Rooney is survived by wife Cassandra, son Dylan, sisters Catherine Rooney and Ann Ewing, brother Michael Rooney, brother-in-law Sam Bowman and mother-in-law Lee Ann Bowman, widow of Pierre Bowman, a longtime reporter with both the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Honolulu Advertiser.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held Feb. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Kalama Beach Club, 280 N. Kalaheo Ave. in Kailua. Donations in Rooney’s memory may be made to the John Rooney Memorial Education Fund for his son at youcaring.com.