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Laurence O'Rourke Obituary

Laurence "Larry" David O'Rourke lost his battle with ALS on Wednesday afternoon in his home in Albrightsville, PA. He was the son of Larry and Joyce Phillips O'Rourke of Orwigsburg, PA. He was born on April 16, 1965 in Shenandoah, PA. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his sister, Jennifer, wife of Carsten Brueninghaus and nephews, Ryan and Sean of Maine, Uncle Thomas "Tim" O'Rourke of Shenandoah and many loving cousins.
He was a graduate of the Blue Mountain High School class of 1983, where he was the Scholar Athlete. In 2009 he was inducted into the Blue Mountain All Sports Hall of Fame. He was a graduate of Dayton University which placed him close to his favorite Cincy Reds and Bengals. Received his BS degree in December '86 and received the award of Most Outstanding Student in the Journalism Department of 800 students.
While in high school he began his sports-writing career with the Pottsville Republican. He interned at the Harrisburg Patriot News. Upon graduation he was employed by the North Jersey Herald and News and covered all the major sport teams and several college teams in the NYC area. He then moved to the Trentonian where his main beat was the Trenton Thunder and more college basketball. In 2000 he began his career with the Allentown Morning Call and became their Philadelphia Eagles beat writer. He covered about 142 consecutive games and eight Super Bowls. But one of his first assignment in the Lehigh Valley was the Senior Open and there he discovered his love of golf. In 2011 he was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Recreational Sports Hall of Fame.
Throughout his illness Larry has been blessed with the support and compassion of many friends and all the wonderful caregivers who later came into his life. His life may have been cut short, but he lived it to the fullest and pushed himself as far as the disease would allow.
Services: Funeral mass 11 a.m. Monday at St. Ambrose R. C. Church, 201 Randel St., Schuylkill Haven, Pa. 17972. Burial will follow at the Annuncian BVM cemetery in Shenandoah Heights. Viewing hours 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. 116 S. Liberty St., Orwigsburg, PA 17961.
In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations be made to: ALS Research at Penn State Hershey Medical Center, 30 Hope Drive, Hershey, PA 17033.

Published by Times News on Jun. 18, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
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I am truely sorry for your loss. Know that there are those who you can lean on in this time of grief.

Skip Fessler

June 27, 2011

Mr. & Mrs. O'Rourke and Jennifer,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Larry was truly special to me. We were childhood friends. Two peas in a pod. We were almost inseparable until my family moved away. Even though Larry is now longer with us in this world we always have our memories. I will always look back fondly of our times together and smile.
Larry never knew this but as an adult he inspired me. I would see him on television covering the teams and I realized Larry went after his dream and he was involved in the very thing that made him happy. Larry made me realize life is too short and we must go after our dreams. I decided to make an abrupt change in my life and I am now fulfilling my dreams in life. Thank you Larry. I will never forget you.

Bill Schappell

June 22, 2011

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your son, please accept my condolences...words cannot ease the pain but I will keep you in my prayers to have the strength for the upcoming days.

Tom Renninger

June 21, 2011

Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourke and Jennifer,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I looked up to Larry in high school, and always admired his dedication and kindness. Please accept my condolences.

Billy Dietz

June 21, 2011

Mr. O'Rouke and family:
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Amanda Marx

June 21, 2011

Larry was not only good at what he did but he loved it. I will always remember his enthusiasm and his personality. My deepest sympathies to his family and close friends.

David Rosenfeld

June 21, 2011

Mr & Mrs O and Jenn....I am so sorry for your loss...it is a very difficult time.....you will always have the memories........one thing to remember....a man's legacy is not measured by the time he is on earth, but what he does with the time when he is here.....no more needs to be said.......be proud of Larry........
Jeff Hoffman

June 20, 2011

Our sincere sympathy to the O'Rourke family. Thomas & Yvonne Siegfried

June 20, 2011

My sincerest sympathies on the loss of Larry. He was such a talented and nice person. May God's strength and peace get you through this difficult time.

Susan (Hannaway) Grantham

June 20, 2011

O'Rourke family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I sit here reading through the guest book,and can really see how great of a person Larry was. One thing this world needs is a lot more Larrys! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Rick Vaccaro

June 19, 2011

Mr & Mrs O'Rourke, Jennifer and Larry's family and friends;

Larry once quoted me in a newspaper article, comments I made about a certain college football team while I was dj'ing @ Rumors. I remember he cut it out and sent it to me. I was thrilled! Years later, as he was doing an INCREDIBLE job covering the Eagles, I would text him during games. Most texts were shots @ play-calling, clock management, accuracy, tackling ability & other fair weather fan comments. He would always reply & sometimes used my comments in his stories. In his final season covering the team, I would sit in the press-box and help him to and from his seat. I remember watching in amazement when it seemed EVERY writer or reporter in the booth would come over for a hug, hand shake or a quick conversation. It made me realize how well respected and well loved Larry was. I saw it again last month, when I was honored to take part in the golf tournament. Who else (but Larry) could get 150+ golfers to Northern Schuylkill County on a Tuesday AM to raise so much money for charity? That day was 1 of the most emotional and incredible days of my life. I was AMAZED @ the job he did with the tournament. How so many people were happy to see him, the smile or twinkle in his eyes when old memories would come back to him or friends stopped to speak with him. I have witnessed the same love, admiration & respect this week as I read the comments posted online and on different newspaper websites.

I used a line while hosting the golf tournament auction "life gave Larry O lemons and he makes enough lemonade for everyone". This sums up Larry!
I am so sorry for you loss and I hope time & memories ease your pain. One thing that will definitely help is when you realize your son & brother was truly one of the great ones & he will be missed by anyone that had the pleasure of meeting him.

George Stoddard

June 19, 2011

Dear Joyce and Larry,
You were clearly blessed to have such an accomplished and respected son. To have lost him to this awful disease must seem unbearable right now. I am so sorry for both of you and wish you all the strength and comfort that God and nature can provide at this difficult time in your lives.
Anne Carol Burke

June 18, 2011

Our sincere sympathy to the O'Rourke family in the passing of Larry Jr.

Jeff, Jeffrey & Carter Jones
Pine Grove,Pa.

June 18, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Pete Ulicny

June 18, 2011

I am so sorry to hear of Larry's passing away. He was an amazing writer, an amazing person! Our prayers are with you all at this time.

Rebecca Rogers Leyson

Rebecca Rogers Leyson

June 18, 2011

Larry and Joyce and Tim and family, please know I m thinking of you. God is with you now, and always.

Mia O'Brien Light

June 18, 2011

Dear O'Rourke Family and Friends:
I'm so sorry for your loss, I know no words can comfort you at this difficult time. Larry truly was a remarkable man and will be missed by many. May God bless you and help you through this.

Lisajo Smith

June 18, 2011

Dear Joyce, Larry and Family, No bond is as great as that between a parent and a child. Our deepest condolences are with you. Just know that you now have a special Guardian Angel watching over all of you. God help you get through this difficult time.

Ken & Mary Anne (Miller) Thomas

June 18, 2011

I was so saddened to hear this news. Larry was a great man and friend. I will miss him. My prayers are with you all.

Mike Bohrman

June 18, 2011

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ed Waiksnoris

June 18, 2011

Dear Tim, Larry and family. Our sincere condolences on your great loss. You are in our prayers. God Be With You+

Joe & Peg Rejent

June 18, 2011

Dear O'Rourke Family, my thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. I will always remember my Dad (Babe) giving me a press pass to attend the 1993 NLCS in Philadelphia. I felt so out of place and overwhelmed on the field pre-game amongst some of the nation's top sports reporters and top athletes. I felt a tug on my shirt, it was Larry, saying to hang out with him and he will show me the ropes which he did. For him to take me under his wing and share his knowledge of his profession, showed his kindness and down to earth professionalism. The thought of that unselfish gesture sticks with me to this day. May he rest in peace. Bill Conroy, Raven Run.

June 18, 2011

May God be with your family through this time of sorrow at the loss of such a wonderful young man you called "son."

Linda Linsey

June 18, 2011

Dear Mr. and Mrs. O'Rourke and family,
I was so saddened to hear of "Little Larry's" (as I referred to him when I would call your house) passing. His fight with ALS was long, but selfless, just like Larry. I will remember Larry for the wonderful person he was - funny, kind, and an all around stand-up guy. The world's loss is Heaven's gain. My sympathy and prayers are with you all during this time.

Deb Dietz Noll

June 18, 2011

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

al malinowski

June 18, 2011

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Bill Stauffer

June 18, 2011

Dear Joyce, Larry and Family, sorry for the loss of your beloved son Larry Jr. , may the Peace of Christ be with you all at this time, Herb

Herb Tamburelli

June 18, 2011

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