William “Bill” O’Rourke Jr., MD, aka “Bucko,” died peacefully, with his wife by his side, at Rutland Regional Medical Center on November 21, 2024, at age 93. Bill was born in Rutland, Vt., on June 5, 1931, the first child of Mary Hinchey O’Rourke and William A. O’Rourke Sr.
Dr. O’Rourke practiced medicine in Rutland for more than 50 years. He retired from private practice, where he specialized in internal medicine and infectious disease until he was 80 years old. He cared for his patients at RRMC and served there as a consultant in infectious disease for most of that time. After closing his office, he volunteered at the Rutland Free Clinic for nine years, where he was highlighted as a Vermont Super Senior on WCAX-TV.
Bill was raised in Rutland, Vt.; graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy, class of 1949, where he was an honor student and was named the class athlete; and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, class of 1953, and the University of Vermont College of Medicine, class of 1957.
Following graduation, he interned at Ohio State University Hospitals in Columbus, Ohio (1957 to 1958). After completing his first residency in internal medicine at UVM (1958 to 1959), he served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force and was the chief medical officer (flight surgeon) at the Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Ga. He completed his second residency and an infectious disease fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. (1961 to 1962), then returned to his hometown of Rutland to practice.
He served as president of the Rutland Hospital Staff, the Rutland County Medical Society and the Vermont Chapter of the American Heart Association. He was a member of the Vermont State Medical Society. He was the health officer for the City of Rutland for eight years. Bill proudly served on the board of directors of First Vermont Bank for many years.
Dr. O’Rourke was dedicated to Roman Catholic schools. He served as a Christ the King School basketball coach. He also served for many years on the CKS board. Dr. O’Rourke may be best known for his work with the Mount St. Joseph Athletic Association. For 32 years he was the physician for the MSJ athletic program. Dr. O’Rourke served on the MSJ Academy board and helped raise money to build the cafeteria at MSJ, as well as organized the Green Wave Golf Tournament and MSJ Scholarship Program.
He received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Mount St. Joseph Academy in 2015, part of Honor Our Past, and the Service to Medicine and Community Award from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in 2017. Bill was a loyal alumnus of MSJ, the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
In 1986 he purchased a condominium in Naples, Fla., and enjoyed vacationing there. He was a longtime member of the Rutland Country Club; Imperial Golf Course of Naples, Fla.; Rutland Elks Club; Post 31 American Legion; and the Knights of Columbus.
Bill, aka “Doc,” greatly enjoyed family, friends, all sports, his patients, staff and his work. He was a wonderful human, selflessly serving his community for so many decades with such honor and dignity. He loved sharing stories that made those around him smile and laugh. He was a treasure.
Bill is survived by his wife, Suzanne Kovacs O’Rourke, and her children, Tammy Whelan (Kevin) and Tracey Lambert; daughter, Julie Foley (Brian), and grandchildren, Matthew, Mickey, Brigid and Kate; son Jim O’Rourke (Cindy); and son Atty. William A. O’Rourke Ill (Sandy). He is further survived by his brother, Atty. R. Joseph O’Rourke (Magill); his sisters Kathleen O’Rourke Valente and Anne O’Rourke Ratkus (Dr. Victor); and his brother-in-law Mike Kovacs (Robin). Bill is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins who loved him dearly. Dr. O’Rourke was predeceased by his parents; his sister Mary Ellen Griffin (Gerry) in 2021; brother-in-law Hon. Silvio Valente in 2017; and his sister-in-law Patricia O’Rourke in 1990. Bill was very appreciative of the support he received, in his later years, from two dear friends, Timothy Collins and Dr. Patrick Keenan.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King School, 60 S. Main St., Rutland, VT 05701, or to Mount St. Joseph Academy, 127 Convent Ave., Rutland, VT 05701.
Calling hours were held on Friday, November 29, 2024, 4 to 6 p.m., at the Clifford Funeral Home, 2 Washington St., Rutland, VT. A mass of Christian burial was celebrated on November 30, 2024, 11 a.m., at Christ the King Church, 66 S. Main Street, Rutland, VT.
Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery, 102 Meadow St., Rutland, VT.
Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland.
This article appears in Nov 27 – Dec 3, 2024.