Edward W O'Rourke Jr

Edward W. O'Rourke, Jr., 56, of Shrewsbury, passed away on Monday, April 4, 2011, in UMass Hospital. Ed is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Nancy A. (Kwiatkowski) O'Rourke, with whom he shared thirty-one wonderful years; their cherished sons, Edward "EJ" O'Rourke and Thomas "Tommy" O'Rourke, both at home; two sisters, Maureen Hunter of Westborough and Gale Racine of Shrewsbury; many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Ed was born in Worcester, son of Edward W. and Jennie M. (Soloperto) O'Rourke, and has lived most of his life in Shrewsbury. He graduated from Shrewsbury High School. Ed worked at C & S Grocers as a Production Manager, before the company moved to Vermont. He then worked as a Manager at Chess King Corporation and as a Manager of the Worcester County Food Bank. Once he became a dad, Eddie was essentially a "stay at home" dad-nurturing his two sons every step of the way all the while taking care of his elderly parents, until their deaths in 2002. He continued raising his sons as he began to dabble in real estate and doing rehab projects; he was "Mr. Fix-it". He extended those abilities and knowledge of his crafts and skills to all those in need. Most recently he worked for J & J Girourard, but would be home for the school bus. That was him; there for his sons. Ed loved life. He would always tell Nancy, E.J., and Tommy "Life is a gift, unwrap it". His life was filled with love for his family and friends. He had a kind and generous heart. His love, his smile and his concern for others brought light to any dark situation and in those situations he would say "with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face". He loved life and embraced it fully. He will be deeply missed. For those who knew and loved him life will never be the same. Calling hours for Ed will be held tonight, Thursday, April 7, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation Street, Worcester. His Funeral will be held on Friday, April 8, from the funeral home, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Saint Anne's Church, 120 Boston Turnpike (route 9), Shrewsbury. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the scholarship fund for Edward and Thomas O'Rourke Education Fund, c/o Commerce Bank, Shrewsbury Branch, 226 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.