James A. O'Rourke, of Woburn, passed away, February 20, 2015, at the Winchester Hospital following a lengthy period of declining health. He was 89 years of age. James was the beloved husband of the late Helen C. (Meuse) and together they shared 61 years of marriage prior to her passing in 2010. Born in Scituate, James was the son of the late Peter and Mary (Flaherty) O'Rourke.
James was a resident of Woburn for most of his life. He grew up in the south end Horn Pond area of Woburn. He was a proud United States Army Veteran of WWII and was a Purple Heart recipient for injuries sustained in battle during the war. In the early 1950's James began working as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service and eventually retired after more than thirty years of dedicated employment. James was a life member of Woburn's American Legion, Post 101. In his leisure time he enjoyed golfing, traveling and spending several years living in Florida.
He was the devoted father of MaryEllen DiZio of Woburn, James O'Rourke of Bradford and his late wife Dawn, and Sharon O'Rourke of Haverhill. Loving grandfather of Caley Lombard, Ryan O'Rourke, Matthew and Alex DiZio. He is also survived by seven loving great grandchildren. Brother of the late Francis O'Rourke, Catherine Regan, Peter O'Rourke, Marguerite Chamberland, Elsie Murphy, Helen Dooley, John , Paul and Thomas O'Rourke. Further survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Wednesday, February 25th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 280 Main St., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Calling hours at the funeral home will be held on Tuesday from 4 thru 8 p.m. Services will conclude with military honors and burial at Calvary Cemetery, Woburn. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in James' memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.