Charles J. O'Rourke

Charles J. O'Rourke, Jr., 75 of Port Charlotte passed away Thursday, November 3, 2011. He was born July 10, 1936 in Rutland, VT to Margaret (Callahan) and Charles J. O'Rourke, Sr. "Charlie" was a longtime resident of East Greenbush, NY prior to moving to Maryland, North Carolina, and retiring in Florida. Charlie was a lifelong Catholic and was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Port Charlotte. Charlie was married to his sweetheart, Peg, for 52 years who preceded him in death. Charlie graduated from Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Rutland, VT in 1954. He was proud to be part of the basketball team that won the Vermont State Title that year. He was an avid golfer and won his first (of many)tournaments at 10 years old. He represented the state of Vermont in the National Jr. Golf Championship in 1953. He graduated from Siena College, Loudonville, NY in 1958, participating in both basketball and golf and receiving his BA in accounting. Charlie served in the U.S. Army immediately after graduating college. Charlie was a comptroller for many years and especially loved his last job at Tryon Palace, New Bern, N.C. He was extremely proud of his five children, who will miss him greatly: Mary Jane (Patrick) O'Brien of Albany, NY; Dr. Liz O'Rourke (Donel Conley) of Arvada, CO; Pam (Scott) Debus of Port Charlotte; CJ (Frances) of Loudonville, NY and James (Stacy) of Stewartstown, PA. He is survived by his sisters Margaret Burns of Columbus, OH, Nancy Del Bianco of Mendon, VT and Eileen O'Rourke of Washington, DC, and 12 grandchildren. A memorial mass for Charlie and Peg will be celebrated on Saturday, November 12 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Church, Loudonville, NY, with their internment to follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to TideWell Hospice, Inc., 1144 Veronica Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. To express condolences to the family, please sign the online guest book.