Charles Anthony "Tony" O'Rourke

Charles Anthony “Tony” O’Rourke, age 80 , of Chanute, Kansas, passed away on Monday, February 12, 2018 at his home. Tony was born on January 8, 1938 on a farm in Clark County, Illinois near Marshall, the son of Martin Hiram and Margaret Ellen (Forbeck) O’Rourke. Tony grew up on a small farm and always enjoyed rural life. He attended school in Marshall, Illinois and graduated from Marshall High School in 1956. He was the school photographer and the hit of his 50th class reunion with many envelopes of black and white photos to share with classmates. He worked at a gas station while in high school, grew popcorn to sell to a local vendor and when he turned 18, paid $200 cash for his first car, a black 1946 Ford coupe. After graduation, he moved to Chicago, IL and went to work at the Ford Plant. He later drove for Overnight Trucking. On January 6, 1959 Tony married Margaret Prombo. They divorced in 1979. He remarried August 21, 1980 to Gay Miga. He moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado in 1972 and began his construction career. In 1978, he moved to Colorado Springs. He was an accomplished stonemason and worked on many notable projects including laying the stone at the United States Air Force Academy Planetarium. He worked for Memorial Hospital in the dietary department from 1991 until his retirement in 2000. Tony was a loving and much loved husband, dad, grandpa and uncle. In Colorado, he gardened in the summer and hunted and fished in the fall. One of his most memorable expeditions was to Canada with friends for a week of serious fishing. He was a Kiwanis member and all-around worker, tirelessly supporting Acts 19:11 (a therapeutic horseback riding program for handicapped children) and other community and church projects. In 2004, Tony and Gay moved to Chanute where he enjoyed walking his dogs, Molly and Koko, riding his mule, Jake, and barbequing for friends and family. He also began to fish and garden in earnest. His goals included catching a 10 lb. catfish and growing a huge pumpkin. At the time of his death, his record catfish catch was 42 inches long and 22 lbs. His record pumpkin was 62 inches around, stood as high as a truck tire and weighed 100 lbs. Tony was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Chanute. He is survived by wife: Gay O’Rourke, children: Colleen Gulbine and husband Steve, Michael O'Rourke and wife Denise, Jeff O'Rourke, James O'Rourke and wife Michele, and Peggie Marek and husband Mike; step-children: Paul Golden and wife Rebeca, Kathy Curtis and husband Chris, and Steven Golden and wife Kim, sibling: Joseph O'Rourke, and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Margaret; daughter, Susie; siblings: William, Patrick and Teresa O'Rourke, Ann Weston and Jean Galardi. Cremation has been requested. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 24, 2018 from 9 – 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Rosary will be recited after the visitation at 10:15 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Inurnment will take place the end of June at Columbine Glen in Monument, CO. Online condolences may be left at: www.countrysidefh.com. Memorials have been suggested to the American Kidney Foundation or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice and may be left with or mailed to the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home, 16 N Forest, Chanute, KS 66720.

Charles Anthony "Tony" O'Rourke

January 8, 1938 - February 12, 2018