William H. "Bill" O'Rourke

HOLYOKE William (Bill) O'Rourke of Holyoke passed away at Mercy Hospital on August 29th after a brief illness. Bill was born in Holyoke on February 24, 1950 to the late William O'Rourke and Norma Riley. He was raised in Holyoke, then Chicopee, and was a 1968 graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School. He served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War as a Communications Technician. Bill, always a proud union man, was previously employed as a maintenance mechanic at the Mt. Tom Power Plant in Holyoke before becoming the Business Manager for the I.B.E.W. Local 455 in 1989 and retired from that position in 2012. Bill spent his adult life advocating for workers' rights and was never afraid to fight for what he believed in. Bill loved music, having played in local bands in his younger days and being the proud owner of several guitars. Bill took great pride in teaching some of his children and grandchildren to play the guitar. He liked Country Music, especially his latest favorite, Eric Church. Bill's passion in life was boating. He and his wife, Joanne, shared some of their best memories on the Connecticut River before moving their boat to Deep River, Connecticut, where they spent every weekend during the spring, summer, and fall. Bill often critiqued obituaries, so let's just say he was only a Red Sox and Patriots fan when they were winning. He also enjoyed reading, target shooting, and spending time with his family. Bill leaves a large family, whom he loved dearly; his loving wife Joanne Betournay O'Rourke of Holyoke, his son Nathan O'Rourke of Colorado; his son Shawn O'Rourke, his wife Emily, and their three children Ryan, Anna, and Adam, all of Belchertown; his daughter Shannon O'Rourke and her children Ariana and Tineus, of Chicopee; his daughter Erin O'Rourke Santa, her husband Angel, and their children Kyle, Ceryn, and Emmalyse, all of Chicopee; his son Brendan O'Rourke and his wife Mary Curto O'Rourke of San Diego, California; his stepdaughter Christine Ferguson, her husband Derek, and their daughter Mallory, of Groton, Connecticut; and his stepdaughter Caity Rodgers and her husband Mark of West Springfield, along with their four-legged daughter Kayla, whom Bill walked daily. Bill also leaves a brother James "Jim" O'Rourke, his wife Deborah, and their sons Chad, Christian and Michael; and a sister Wendy O'Rourke Karnolisz and her loving companion, Joe Karnolisz. Bill will also be missed by his many boating friends, former co-workers and friends of the family. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Barry Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA. A memorial celebration will be held on Wednesday September 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at the Second Baptist Church, 589 Granby Road, South Hadley, MA. A Military Funeral at the Veteran's Cemetery will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations: Guitars for Vets, PO Box 617 Milwaukee, WI, 53201 guitars4vets.org or the Holyoke Soldier's Home Recreation Fund, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040. The family would like to sincerely thank the nursing staff at Mercy Medical Center Intensive Care Unit for their compassionate care of Bill and his family during this difficult time.