Obituary of Ronald O'Rourke

Ronald J. O'Rourke, 74, of Bushkill, formerly of Williams Township, PA died peacefully on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Sylvia J. (Apgar) O'Rourke. Born in Howard Beach, L.I., N.Y. he was the son of the late Walter and Virginia (Lynch) O'Rourke. Ronald was employed with Poniatowski Brothers in Flemington, NJ for 20 years and later with Smith Motors in Washington, NJ for 20 years prior to his retirement 3 years ago. After his retirement, Ronald began to buy and refurbish bicycles to give away as charity. Ronald and his dog companion Shannon would also collect golf balls at the Morgan Hill Golf Club, where they used to reside, and would bag them and return them to the clubhouse at Morgan Hill so that local students could have them to practice with at no charge. Ronald was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed many sports and activities including: water skiing, snow skiing, motorcycles, boating, golfing, and most of all walking his dog. Ron loved spending a lazy afternoon on the back porch with family and also loved attending many large family gatherings. In addition to his wife Sylvia, he is also survived by three children; Michael O'Rourke and his companion Sandra Brown of Alpha, NJ, Kathleen Farrelly and her husband Dennis of Bushkill, PA, Mary Mahoney and her husband Paul of South Sterling, PA, three step-children; Christopher Danielson of Williams Township, PA, Thomas Danielson of Pittsburgh, PA, Cynthia Danielson of Vermont, brothers; Walter J. O'Rourke and his wife Janet of Warren Center, PA, William O'Rourke and his wife Barbara of Port Murray, NJ, sister; Mary Wescoe and her husband Lloyd of Salisbury MD, grandchildren; Brian Candler and his wife Lauren of Stroudsburg, PA , Colleen Mahoney of Manayunk, PA , Michael Mahoney of South Sterling, PA, Kaycee O'Rourke of Palm Harbor, FL, Ryan Tettemer of Milford, NJ, Kaitlyn O'Rourke and Kyle O'Rourke both of Alpha, NJ, several nieces and nephews, including, Laura McOdrum of Glenmoore, PA, and his former wife and long time friend Joan V. O'Rourke of Phillipsburg, NJ. He is predeceased by his loving son Ronald J. O'Rourke II and grandson; Paul T. Mahoney II. The Reverend Father Greg Loughney will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, July, 15 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Mount Church, 27 Fairview Ave., Mt. Pocono PA. There will be a viewing on Thursday, July 14 at the Bolock Funeral Home, Corner of Routes 940 & 390, Cresco, from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-8:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Route 191, Newfoundland on Friday following Mass. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ronald's memory to VNA Hospice, 502 Independence Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. The family would also like to thank VNA Hospice, Muhlenberg Oncology and The Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center for their care and support.