William J. O'Rourke, M.D.

William John O’Rourke, M.D., 87, of East Greenwich, passed on to his eternal reward on Sunday, April 12,  dying peacefully in his sleep at home following a very quick battle with cancer.  Bill, born in Trenton, NJ, the son of Mary Frances (Fitzgerald) and James Joseph O’Rourke, M.D., was the youngest of three boys.  He was a 1953 graduate of Georgetown University; going on to earn his M.D. in 1957 from Georgetown Medical School.  He served as a Medical Officer in the United States Navy stationed on the USS Lake Champlain in Quonset from 1959-1961.  Bill practiced as a Urologic Surgeon for 34 years at Kent County Memorial Hospital. He was a long time parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Church in North Kingstown, RI where he served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.

Bill is survived by his loving children; Martha Ann and William Francis and their respective spouses, Christopher Waitkun and Christine O'Rourke and his four grandchildren; Colin, Cameron, Bridget & Sophie.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 56 years, Joan O’Rourke.

Bill will always be remembered for his kindness, brilliance, and dry wit; he never passed up an opportunity to laugh and was able to find humor in things right until the end of his life.  He loved to sail and play tennis. He was a gentle, giving man who lived a full life and died a good death.

Due to current health and safety regulations his funeral services were private. A private burial was held at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, East Greenwich. A Memorial Mass at St. Francis de Sales Church will be scheduled at a later date.