Mr. Joseph Vincent O'Rourke

Joseph Vincent O'Rourke Born May 19th, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY to Katherine Rowland and Thomas O'Rourke. He passed away at his home in Saginaw MI, surrounded by his family on Thursday, March 31st, 2016 at the age of 90 years. As he is mourned here by those he left behind, he is Greeted with Shouts of Joy by his family that has gone ahead of us. His cherished wife of 56 years, Carol Bayne O'Rourke; His mother, Katherine Rowland of Gort, County Maigh eo, Ireland and his Father, Thomas O'Rourke of Wexford, Ireland. He is also predeceased by three of his beloved siblings, William O'Rourke, Thomas O'Rourke & Anthony O'Rourke; as well as many aunts and uncles that helped to raise him in Love, contributing to making him the man we knew him to be. Also predeceasing him are lifelong friends and in-laws, Joan Bayne Campbell, John and Joan Bayne, Jean O'Rourke and Therese O'Rourke. Left behind to remember his life of unwavering Commitment and Love for his Family are his Children and their Spouses William O'Rourke and longtime friend Mimi Carter, Siusan O'Rourke and Zig Zeitler, Erin "Donna" O'Rourke Sage & James Sage, John O'Rourke and Sherry Curell. His pride in his Grandchildren was unsurpassed, Nicole O'Rourke (Jeremy), Steven O'Rourke (Courtney), Michael Martinak (Lisa), Hannah O'Rourke, Addah Riebschleger, Joseph Riebschleger, Landen Curell With 6 Great Grandchildren, Xavior, Xa’Ya, Haley, Owen, Oliver and Kaylin and another on the way. He had a deep love for his Brothers and Sisters and their Spouses, Mark O'Rourke, James O'Rourke, Patrick O'Rourke (Bobbie), Mary O'Rourke Mulea (Ben), Ronnie O'Rourke Phelps (Larry); Brother in-law, Gordon Bayne; among many cousins we make special note of Francis Rowland & Pamela Rowland. He was adored by nieces and nephews, many of whom looked to him as a second father, Linda Campbell Weitz, Kevin O'Rourke, Rory O'Rourke, Daniel O'Rourke, Michele O'Rourke Kraham, Brian O'Rourke, Kenneth Bayne, Jennifer Bayne, Erica Bayne Koltunov (Yevgeny), Jason Bayne (Jill), James O'Rourke, Timothy O'Rourke, Stephen O'Rourke, Ann O'Rourke, Patricia O'Rourke McArdle, Jeanne O'Rourke, Katherine O'Rourke Vetere, Grace O'Rourke and he was blessed in the last Two years of his life to have met for the very first many more nieces and nephews, too many to mention, calling the Family Reunion in 2015 better than Christmas. A member of VFW post 9809 in Saginaw Mi, Joseph was a Decorated Veteran, serving in WWII He joined the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne as a Paratrooper with 17 combat jumps to his credit. He fought as a Rifleman and was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge, with campaigns in Ardennes, Central Europe, Northern France and Rhineland. Decorations and Citations: The Militaire Willems order The Belgian Fourragere The EAME Service Medal The Good Conduct Medal WWII Victory Medal The Purple Heart He married his neighborhood sweetheart Carol Bayne on Oct 2nd of 1954 in Brooklyn, NY, where they raised 4 children. Moving to Saginaw, MI in 1971 where they have resided since. Carol predeceased him in 2010. Joseph Graduated from Good Shepherd School In Brooklyn, NY. and was an "Athlete" up until the moment of his passing. An incredibly strong individual who took on any job to completion. Known for his love of heights, his gymnastic ability and his love of the water, swimming and diving. He loved hunting, boating, baseball, dogs and horses. But above all.. above all.. He loved his Family and he lived his entire life making certain he was the best husband, father, brother and uncle that he could be. He worked many jobs in his life, some of which being a NY Cab Driver, Sorter in the Mail Room in the US Postal Service, Sign Painter and Fabricator in Brooklyn, NY with his Brother Mark, Construction with Dick and Mack Adams here in Saginaw, MI. He retired at the age of 80 out of the Saginaw Board of Education, where he worked for more than 30 years doing maintenance and construction. He lived a life of impeccable work ethics that we can all only hope to come close to. Although Joseph was not a member of a local Parish, he was a lifelong Catholic and held close to his heart the Faith he was born into. All Expressions of Sympathy that are sent to the Family will be donated in his name to the charity he long supported, St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Joseph's earthly remains will join his wife in cremation. There will be a Gathering and Celebration of His Life that all are invited to attend on Sunday, April 10th, 2016 @ 1:00 pm at The White Crow Conservatory of Music, 3736 Mackinaw, Saginaw, MI. A short Memorial service will be followed by Lots of Love, Laughter, Music and a Potluck meal, just as he wanted...a Family gathering with Food! Special thanks from our Family to all the wonderful Folks at: Heartland Hospice Covenant Hospital Physical Therapy Department and the VA for all they provided our Father in the last years of his life to make it easier.

Mr. Joseph Vincent O'Rourke

May 19, 1925 - March 31, 2016