William-O'Rourke-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home

William H. "Bill" O'Rourke

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Feb 24, 1950 – Aug 29, 2016 (Age 66)

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BORN
February 24, 1950
DIED
August 29, 2016
AGE
66
LOCATION
Holyoke, Massachusetts

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Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home Obituary

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...

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I've been attempting to find my friend, Bill O'Rourke. We were stationed together at Lockbourne/Rickenbacker Air Force Base, in Columbus, Ohio. I know that he loved music and guitars. I gave him a guitar that I brought back from Thailand. It was mother-of-pearl inlayed with a dragon. I traded it for the guitar that I still have today that has his name on it. I would be deeply saddened if this is the same Bill O'Rourke that I was stationed with, and send my condolences to his family. ...

We moved to the Oxbow with Bill and JoAnne back in 2004 after years of trailer boating together and when we moved to Deep River,CT they followed a year later. Our boating life has always seemed to have Bill and JoAnne in it when I would get up in the morning and go on deck the first thing I would see was Bill cleaning the Odessa bright and early that boat was never dirty. One of our favorite stories with Bill and JoAnne involved a dive trip to Rockport for lobsters us in our boat with baby...

We met in 2005 at the Oxbow Marina. Bill was telling us stories of his boating adventures while we all sat around the bomb fire. I can still hear his snicker when we told he we too bought a Crownline. Lucky for us the adventures continued at Deep River Marina. We will miss hearing his laugh from across the fairway and his boating stories. My favorite boating trip to date was when a large group of us went to Greenport for the weekend. We took over C Dock. We are blessed that we had you in...

Joanne, Words cannot express the sadness, disbelief and shock I feel knowing I will not see Bill's smiling, and happy face, always laughing because he genuinely loved life and the life of a boater. We shared many good times with you in Deep River, Ct and at other boating locations. Especially the laughs we had in Montauk in May of 2015! Which started the whole 'swimmies' joke at the marina. I will forever see him walking up the dock, in his yellow shirt and khakis...
Much love

Dad, How I miss our silly little talks, your willingness to always stop what your doing just to help with what ever is needed at any time, your smiling face walking through the door. The smiles and laughter you always brought to Kyle, Ceryn, Emmalyse and Harley. I lost a great father and friend and my kids lost an awesome grandfather. There are no words to express my emptiness of not hearing your sarcastic comments and gigantic sense of humor! I walk around the house looking at all the...

Bill, we are missing you so much in the North Yard in Deep River. We look over and see the boat and it doesn't seem real. You touched so many lives with your smile and upbeat personality. We will forever cherish and reminisce about our boat travels with you and Joanne. We only wish we had more. Rest in Gods peace Bill. Dave & Jan Marsh

Bill, you were my brother in law for almost 24 years. Over those years, I came to appreciate, respect and admire your strength, your loyalty and your dedication to my sister Joanne and the rest of your family, including our mother. I miss you and will remember you often, especially when I make the seven layer dip that you loved so much. Rest in peace and watch over us all. We could use another angel. Karen

Joanne and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. May time and memories grant you peace and comfort.

Jeanne and Jim Gamelli

My condolences, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.