Patrick J. O’Rourke was born on August 21, 1939 in his native, Brooklyn NY, the second of five children to his parents John Thomas O’Rourke and Marion O’Rourke. He is now reunited in eternity with his beloved parents, beloved sister Maureen, and brothers Johnny and Baby John Thomas. Our father lived a fulfilling and honorable life of service and was dedicated to his family, career and community. In his early years, he ran track at Xaverian HS in Brooklyn, and he was a regular at Ebbetts Field to watch his favorite childhood baseball team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. After High School, he joined the Army Reserves and then soon after, he embarked upon a 20-year career serving fellow New Yorkers in the NYPD. He worked out of the 66th precinct in Borough Park. Soon after, he met our mother Patricia in the old Brooklyn Neighborhood , and they married on January 16th 1965 in Brooklyn. A year later dad and mom welcomed a son, John, in 1966 and after living (2) years in Bay Ridge, they relocated to Baldwin, Long Island in January of 1968. Soon after, came the arrival of their daughters Christine in 1968 and then Karen in 1969. Dad commuted to NYC to work his NYPD job and soon after moving to Baldwin, joined the Baldwin Fire Department as a volunteer Fireman, where he was an active first aid + firefighter for over (40) years. Dad enjoyed hanging out at the firehouse when he wasn’t working or fighting fires.

He developed so many lifetime friendships with his fellow volunteer Brothers. He also was honored to serve with his NYPD police brothers and he called it his mission and true calling…serving with New York’s finest. It always amazed us how how dad would work a 50+ hour work week with the NYPD and then go on, on some days, 2-3 volunteer fire calls a day. And remarkably, he still found time to go to his daughters’ dance recitals and son’s hockey and baseball games. He even coached a few youth hockey teams in the mid 70’s. He also enjoyed working a 3rd job driving a handicapped school bus, helping young handicap kids on and off the bus.. That was our father, he loved children. Following a 20-year run with the NYPD, dad took a job as a security officer with Brooklyn Union Gas in 1983. He retired from the Gas Company in 1995, the same year his first grandchild Ryan was born. Over the next (9) years from 1995-2004, our dad, known to his grandchildren as Pops, was blessed with (10) grandchildren, years later he would say that these were his favorite years in life …welcoming and spending time with his (10) grandchildren. Ryan, Erin, Brendan, Katie, Matthew, Brian, Keenan, Kevin, Megan, and Shannon. His grandchildren were his pride and joy.

In his retired years, dad loved to spend time with his grandchildren, golf, play cards, workout at the gym, walk at Jones beach, travel, read, and of course, watch his favorite teams the New York Football Giants and the New York Mets. He also never stopped volunteering. Dad had a very active, fulfilling retirement and then about (10) years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Throughout the last chapter of his life, he battled his illness with courage and grace, and he never once complained. We have deep gratitude to Oscar, our father’s caregiver during the final (6) years of his life, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the care you gave our dad. You are a saint and our father was deeply grateful as are we for the care and attention you gave him. You will always be part of our family. Perhaps this story best describes our father: On Christmas Eve 1978, our father had just finished working an 8-4 in the “66” with the NYPD. He drove home to Long Island for Christmas Eve dinner and to spend time with his family and before he could get settled in, he was called to respond to a 4-alarm fire in a neighboring town. Dad would be gone battling the fire throughout the night and didn’t return until 8am Christmas morning. We pleaded with dad to get some rest and we could open presents later. However, as exhausted as he was, our father insisted that we open them upon his return. That was dad…always thinking of others.

Our dad’s legacy will always be his faith, his love of family, he loved his wife, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. And his undying service to protecting and helping others in need. We will miss him beyond words and will never forget the wonderful example he gave us. Thanks for showing us the way dad. Rest In Peace and we will one day see you again, in eternity. We love you. Patrick is survived by his son John O’Rourke, Daughters and Son-in-laws Christine and Kevin Groom, and Karen and Sean Michael, his sister Joan Banahan (Ed) and (10) grandchildren.

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