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WILLIAM O'ROURKE Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on May 21, 2008.

William J. O'Rourke

Age 86, died on May 19, 2008 at Cokesbury Village, Hockessin, DE.

He was born in the Bronx, NY, the son of James and Florence Donnelly O'Rourke. He served in the US Army Air Corps and the US Army from 1942-1945 in the Pacific Theatre. A policeman for the New York City Police Department for 27 years, he retired as Captain, having commanded precincts in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island and was an instructor at the police academy. From 1969-1972, he was Commissioner of Public Safety in Wilmington, under Mayor Harry Haskell. Subsequently he was sales manager of Infinetics. In 1976, Gov. Pierre S. duPont appointed him to his cabinet as Secretary of Public Safety, where he served until 1981. He continued employment with the state of Delaware for several years in the criminal justice field. He received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from City College of NY and master's degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In 1968, he was assistant professor at the County College of Morris, NJ. He married Elizabeth Brady in 1947, and she died in 1978. His second wife of 19 years, Mary Murray, died in 2000. He was a member of Cavalier Country Club and Rock Manor Golf Club. He was proud of his long career in law enforcement, especially his years with the NYPD, Wilmington Police Dept. and Delaware State Police. He was an avid reader, quick with an anecdote or a song, whose Irish wit will be missed.

William is survived by his 4 children, 2 stepsons and their spouses: Elizabeth O'Rourke Sweet and husband Douglas of Kennett Square, PA; Kathleen O'Rourke Dalton and husband Dr. Conrad of Houston, TX; Kevin O'Rourke and wife Cheryl of Hockessin, DE; Jacqueline O'Rourke Anson and F. Martin of Pasadena, MD, David Murray and wife Judy of Augusta, NJ, Paul Murray of San Diego, CA; 8 grandchildren, dear friend Mrs. Helen Haynes, loving cousins, nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his brothers James and Eugene, sister Patricia Mullen.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, May 22, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm at the CHANDLER FUNERAL HOME, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am on Friday, May 23, at St. Joseph's on the Brandywine R.C. Church, Greenville, DE. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington, DE.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Catholic Charities, Ministry of Caring, 506 N. Church Street, Wilmington, DE 19801-4812.

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