Joseph F. Rourke

Mr. Joseph F. Rourke, age 81, of 3 Rourke Road, Akwesasne, died Monday afternoon (October 13, 2008) at Fletcher-Allen Medical Center, where he had been a patient since September 28th.

He was born January 14, 1927 in Deferiet, New York, the son of Frank and Marion Loft Rourke. He attended Mohawk and Massena High School. He served in the US Army from April 18, 1945 until his discharge on December 10, 1946. On November 10, 1949, he reenlisted and served until his honorable discharge on January 26, 1953. He married Isabel Sawatis on May 16, 1953 at the St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. Michael Jacobs, officiating.

Joe was an ironworker with Local #440, Utica, retiring in 1988. He was a communicant of the St. Regis Catholic Church and a member of the Andrew W. Cook American Legion Post #1479, Hogansburg. He enjoyed spending time at the gazebo, playing cards, bingo, and being with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Isabel; by 10 children and their spouses, Marshall and Janine Rourke, Gale Rourke, David and Susan Rourke, Carol and Timothy Papineau, Daniel and Beverly Rourke, Sharon and Robert Phillips, Timothy Rourke and his companion Jamie Ross, Raymond and Susan Rourke, Alice and Jose Tarbell, Robert Rourke, all of Hogansburg; 32 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Barney and Viola Rourke, Hogansburg; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased 2 granddaughters, Marie and Angie Rourke; a grandson Timothy “Sose” Papineau on February 13, 2008; and a brother, Andrew Rourke on May 30, 2002.

Friends can call at his home until a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Friday 2:00 PM at St. Regis Catholic Church with Rev. George H. Belgarde, SJ, pastor, officiating. Burial with full military honors will be the Rourke Family Cemetery, Hogansburg. Arrangements are with the Donaldson Funeral Home, Massena.

Condolences may be made online at www. donaldsonfh.com.