Fr. Paul J. O'Rourke

O'ROURKE, FR. PAUL J., of the Columban Fathers, died October 28 at Silver Creek Nursing Home in Bristol, RI. Born in Providence on October 6, 1934, son of the late Hugh & Alice (Woodcock) O'Rourke.

He graduated from LaSalle Academy and Providence College before entering St. Columbans Seminary in Milton, MA in Sept. 1955. He continued his studies at Columban Seminaries in Bristol, RI and Dalgan Park, Ireland before being ordained to the Priesthood on December 21, 1961 in Milton, MA.

He began his missionary life in the Philippines in 1962 and over the years he served as mission coordinator in Jamaica, on the formation staff of St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minn., St. Edwards Parish in Seattle, Hispanic Community at Immaculate Conception in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Superior of the Columban house in Kew Gardens, NY. In September '99 he came to reside in Bristol to do supply work in the Diocese of Providence, mainly at St. Mary of the Bay in Warren, St. Francis in Wakefield, and St. Catherine's, Little Compton, RI.

He served as Chaplain with the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam and was seriously injured in a land mine explosion on April 1, 1969. He was transferred from a Vietnam hospital to Yokusaka Naval Hospital in Japan and later to the Naval Hospital in Boston.

In recent years Fr. Paul suffered from serious illnesses, which he bore with great resignation, faith and cheerfulness.

Fr. O'Rourke was the brother of the late Columban Father Hugh O'Rourke, Patricia O'Rourke McGirr, and Maureen O'Rourke Horne. He is survived by his sister, Sister Claire O'Rourke of the Columban Sisters in Brighton, MA and by nephews John, Stephen, Paul, Thomas & Christopher McGirr and Joseph & Peter Horne and a large circle of friends.

The viewing will be at the Chapel of the Columban Fathers, 65 Ferry Road, Bristol, RI on Friday, October 31st from 4 to 8 p.m. A Concelebrated funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, November 1st at 11 a.m. at the Columban Fathers. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Columban Fathers, Bristol.