Obituary of Thomas M. O'Rourke

PAINTED POST: Thomas M. “Tom” O’Rourke, 88, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, March 24, 2021 at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pa. following a brief illness. Tom was born January 2, 1933 in Hornell to the late Stoddard and Inez (Barker) O’Rourke. 65 years ago, on April 9, 1955 in Hornell, he married the former Betty A. Mullen who survives and resides in Painted Post. Tom was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving his country proudly from 1953-61. He had worked as a draftsman at Dresser Rand in Painted Post for more than 35 years, retiring in 1995. Outside of work, Tom’s passion was building and flying model airplanes. He was a member of the Corning Tri Rivers RC Modelers. He also was a very big sports fan who loved to watch the N.Y. Yankees, Buffalo Bills and Penn State football as well as the Syracuse Orangeman basketball. He very much enjoyed his family and his greatest joy was his grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to his wife Betty, Tom is survived by a son Melvin (Jennifer) O’Rourke, daughters, Pamela Walker of Painted Post and Cheryl (Michael) Morris of Addison. Five grandchildren: Brian (Holly) O’Rourke, Shawn (Nicole) O’Rourke, Tina White (Alex Morich), Kathryn Morris (Owen Williams) and Sarah Morris, five great grandchildren: Landon, Haylee, Evan, Avery and Paxton. He is also survived by a sister: Delores Houghtaling of Hornell and a brother James O’Rourke of Avon, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister Dorothy Lomedico. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Monday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. .in Canisteo where a memorial service with military honors will take place immediately following calling hours at 7 pm. final interment will be in Bennetts Creek Cemetery, Greenwood, N.Y. Masks and social distancing at the funeral home will be required. Memorial contributions in Tom’s name may be made to Corning Tri Rivers RC Modelers, 1636 River Road, Lindley, NY 14858.