On Tuesday June 26, 2018, Thomas J. O'Rourke, born September 6, 1933, went home. Tom lived by the premise that there were "no strangers, only friends he had not yet met." He talked to everyone, walked and biked through life with a song in his heart and will be fondly remembered as the life of any party. He is survived by his loving wife of 60+ years, Joyce Webster-O'Rourke; his beloved children: Ellen O'Rourke-Dominianni (Richard), Thomas O'Rourke (Maria), JeanAnne Dropp (Edward), Tara O'Rourke, Sheila O'Rourke-Hall (Mike), Terence O'Rourke (Dickie Harper); and grandchildren: Darcie and Riley Dominianni; Joyce and Kylee O'Rourke; Christopher and Courtney Dropp; Erin Corbett; and Grace, Colin and Aimee Hall. Also surviving is an extended family including nieces, nephews and more friends than he was able to count. He was preceded in death by son Michael. The family will receive friends at James P Byrnes Funeral Home 2384 Gerritsen Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11229 Friday June 29, 2018 between 2-4PM and 7-9PM with a funeral Mass at Resurrection Catholic Church at 9:30 AM on Saturday, June 30, 2018. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Tom's name to   Hour Children   36-11 12th St, Long Island City, NY 11106. Arrangements are being coordinated through Clavin Funeral Home. Tom was an active parishioner, serving as lector and choir member, first at Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) for 57 years; in 2015 he moved to Resurrection Catholic Church in Gerritsen Beach. He is widely hailed as "the best Santa's helper I ever saw" by his children's friends and universally remembered for his love of music whether expressed in whistling or in song. Tom was a graduate and member of Power Memorial High School Alumni Association. He earned a BA from Fordham University and an MBA from Baruch College. He discovered a love of writing and published several short stories and one book entitled "A Father Remembers the First Christmas." In keeping with the mission of The Christophers, an organization of which he was proud to be a member; Tom always encouraged us to "keep smiling" and to "accentuate the positive" as we walked through this world. He will be sorely missed. May God be with you, rest in peace.