Brian O'Rourke

The O'Rourke family mourns the sudden loss of their patriarch and guiding light, Brian O'Rourke, from Nellysford, Virginia.

Brian was a completely devoted father, husband and grandfather. His wry sense of humor and very generous spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew him. His wonderful stories will leave us all wondering which of them were true, much like the "big fish that got away".

He was born and raised in White Plains, New York, and worked the family farm in Yorktown Heights, New York. Brian was very involved in the White Plains community. He was a founder of the parochial football league in Westchester County and head football coach of the St. Bernards football team in White Plains for some 20 years.

He was a member of the White Plains, New York, Volunteer Fire Department's Union Hook and Ladder Co. #1 and was heavily involved in the Environmental Conservation Committee. He loved sailing his sunfish in the Long Island Sound, while a member of the Shenorock Shore Club, and was an avid fan of both the New York Giants and the New York Mets. After he retired from Marsh & McClennan of New York City, he and his wife, Ginger, moved to Nellysford, Virginia, in 1994 where he continued his devotion to charitable work, and resumed his passion for golf, once playing over 280 rounds in a single year.

Brian made many, many good friends from all walks of life. He worked with Habitat for Humanity and gave generously to the church and the Nelson County food pantry. Brian was also an enthusiastic fan and supporter of Nelson County High School athletics. He served as a volunteer for the Wintergreen Rescue Squad for a decade and was a member of the Board of Directors. His favorite night of the week was Wednesday when he would join his friends at his favorite restaurant, D'Ambola's. He loved his wine and was dutiful to keeping his little hummingbird friends fed and happy.

Brian was very active socially and loved tailgating at University of Virginia football games with his friends and wife, Laurel. The family is grateful that Brain was able to see his eldest grandchild graduate from high school this past May and see his youngest grandchild graduate from preschool just a few weeks ago, where he laughed so hard tears streamed down his cheeks.

As a younger man, Brian was a star athlete who excelled in football for the White Plains High School team that once won an amazing 56 games in a row. Brian attended the University of Maryland where he played quarterback for the football team, forward for the basketball team, and was ultimately offered a pitching contract from the Washington Senators. All who knew him will also remember that while he was not always right, he was never in doubt!

Brian was predeceased by his wonderful wife of 49 years, the mother of his children, Virginia Ann McMullen O'Rourke.

In addition to his wife, Laurel E. O'Rourke, Brian is survived by his three children, Mary Eileen O'Rourke of Faber, Virginia, Thomas Matthew O'Rourke and his wife, Lee Ann, of Tampa, Florida, and John Michael O'Rourke and his wife, Janine, of Oak Hill, Virginia; a brother, James O'Rourke of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two sisters-in-law, Eileen Stephens and her husband, Bill, and their children, Jim and Jerry, and Jamie Shacter and her husband, Stewart, and their children, Hannah and Sam; four grandchildren, Meghan, Jamie, Hallie and Andrew; four step-children, James Wright, Gregory Wright, Christopher Efdimis, and LuAnn Serafin; and five stepgrandchildren.

A Memorial Service was conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, 2007, at Holy Cross Episcopal Church of Batesville, Virginia. The Reverend Anthony F. Andres officiated.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wintergreen Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 711, Nellysford, VA 22958.

Wells-Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston, VA (434263-4097) is in charge of arrangements.