William G. O'Rourke

DUDLEY-William G. O’Rouke, 77, passed away peacefully at UMASS Memorial Hospital Thursday, September 14 from severe complication related to his kidney transplant, with his family by his side.

Bill is survived by two sisters, Mary Opatka and her husband, Frederick of Worcester and Bridget P. O’Brien and her husband, Anthony of Killaderra, Co. Galway, Ireland; a sister-in-law, Kathryn O’Rourke of Grafton; seven nephews, Patrick and his wife, Jennifer, Brendan, Sean, Bryan and his partner, Jenn, Liam and his wife, Cori, Anthony and Matthew; a niece, Maura who gave Bill extraordinary care throughout his illness; cousins, Maureen, Amanda, Grayson, John, Paul and Alex; cherished friends and his neighbor, Cindy. A brother, James P. O’Rourke predeceased him. He was born in Worcester, the son of William G. and Bridget (Concannon) O’Rourke and graduated from South High School and received a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Worcester State College.

Bill was a math, science and special needs teacher at Auburn Middle School for 37 years. He was a member of the Mass. Teachers Assoc., the Greendale Retired Men’s Club and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Bill enjoyed traveling, horticulture, cooking, time spent with family and most especially a good day at the beach.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Fan and the transplant team at UMASS University campus.

Visiting Hours are Sunday, from 5 to 7pm at Callahan Fay Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, at 10:30am in St. Andrew the Apostle Church, 5 Spaulding St. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the University Transplant team at www. ummhealth.org, the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org or the Rose Monahan Hospice House at www. vnacare.org