James J. O’Rourke, Jr. of Bronxville, and formerly a long-time resident of Park Hill, Yonkers passed away after a long battle with pneumonia on February 9, 2019. Jimmy was the loving son of the late Dr. James and Annabelle (Dwyer) O’Rourke, devoted brother to Ann Keenan, Kevin and his wife Damien O’Rourke, Ellen and her husband Gary Watson, and Brian and his wife Stacey O’Rourke. Uncle Jim had seventeen nieces and nephews.
Jim was born on January 23, 1948 and graduated from Yonkers High School in 1967. He was a lifelong member of the Park Hill Racquet Club and enjoyed a forty year career at The Waldorf Astoria where he rose to head chef.
Jim was an avid walker, and frequented the many shops in the Bronxville Village, especially Rosie’s, Lange’s Deli, and the Friday night crew at J.C. Fogarty’s.
He was loved and appreciated by his family and many friends, especially Bette and Nick D’Angelo and Maureen Brophy-Johnson.
Calling hours will be held at the Fred H. McGrath & Sons Funeral Home, Bronxville, on Friday, February 15thbetween the hours of 5-7 p.m. Interment Private.
Condolence(1)-
Brian O’ Rourke says
February 12, 2019 at 9:12 pmIN REMEMBRANCE
JAMES J. O’ROURKE, JR.
1948-2019
Jim was born at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan and was named after his father. He lived in the city until 1952 when he moved to Park Hill in Yonkers. St. Denis was his parish. For much of his young life, he enjoyed summers at his grandmother’s house on the Jersey shore.
Jim attended public schools and graduated from Yonkers High school in 1966. Immediately after graduation, he enrolled in the chef apprenticeship program at the Waldorf Astoria and over a forty year career rose through the ranks of the culinary department. It was never an easy job but he was not a complainer, despite the kitchen fumes, cuts and burns that such work entails.
Jim was a long-time member of the Park Hill Racquet Club. He enjoyed swimming, bowling and socializing with his friends and other members while tending bar at the Club. When his father died in 1992, Jim moved with his mother to Stoneleigh Plaza in Bronxville. He missed the short walk to the Racquet Club but loved the quick commute to the Waldorf.
Jim had a happy life. He was caring, kind and a very hard worker but could be feisty and stubborn. Simply stated, he was no push over! He liked his beers, ham and strawberry shortcake and any meals at Rosie’s or Fogarty’s. He was a regular guy and enjoyed life’s simple pleasures.
The love of his life was his mother, Annabelle. She was his constant companion until she passed away in 2005. It was always a source of great comfort for his family that Mom had Jim and Jim had Mom. Total devotion! Now they are finally reunited.
Jim was loved and appreciated by his family and friends. He is survived by four widespread sibling: Ann Keenan (Chicago), Kevin and his wife, Damien (San Francisco), Ellen and her husband Gary Watson (Naples, Florida) and Brian and his wife Stacey (Boston). In addition, Uncle Jim had seventeen loving nieces and nephews. Throughout his life he enjoyed a typical Irish-Catholic family –lots of love, laughter and mischief.
Thank you all for being here to honor Jim’s memory. Our family is deeply indebted to Bette D’Angelo and her husband Nick and Maureen Brophy-Johnson and her mother for the love, care and friendship they have provided Jim.