Colin James O'Rourke

O’Rourke, Colin James – passed unexpectedly on October 11, 2021 of cardiac arrest.

Colin’s childhood was spent in Winchester, MA with summers in South Dartmouth, MA. He attended the Fenn School ’01, Governor’s Academy ’05, and graduated from Boston College in 2009. He was blessed with so many close friendships from every circle he traveled in. Colin was the kindest and most nurturing son and brother a family could ever ask for. His love of family was unparalleled. He is survived by his parents (Brian and Stacey), brothers and sister-in-law (Devin, Samantha, and Angus), his grandmother (Dawn Shannon), adoring aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and business colleagues. And of course, the family’s two big, goofy dogs, Jimbo and Charlie.

His passions were books, theater, skiing, and the ocean. In a day, you could see Colin finish the next Harry Potter book, enchant (perhaps startle) his family with his shower-time show tune singing, stub his toe on every bed frame and door jam, and have his family in tears at the dinner table with his treasure trove of stories, impersonations, and unmatched wit. He touched all of us with his kindness, generous spirit, intellect, and most of all his comedic timing.

We were blessed to see him perform in so many theater productions and concerts throughout his childhood and college days. He left us in awe of his rendition of Wicked’s ‘Defying Gravity’ at Governor’s, his BC choral performances, and of course his best moments on stage in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Angels in America, Anything Goes, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Sweet Charity. He was truly a “ham” and knew how to steal a scene!

Colin found a way to funnel his creativity into a business career as the Director of Corporate events for Eldridge Industries, where he and his team produced spectacular events around the globe.

True to his partial Scots heritage, he was the master of accumulating airline miles and credit card points, and his brothers will attest to his notorious alligator arms whenever the dinner check arrived!

Colin knew how to make an entrance, and his smile and laughter were infectious - he was full of contagious wonder. His early exit has left a huge hole in all of our hearts, a vacancy he would want us to fill with as much love and laughter (at his expense) as we can muster. That would be his wish for all of us...after all, the show must go on!

As a family we are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support we are receiving from all of you, and we thank you.

A wake will take place on October 20, 2021 from 4 pm – 9 pm at Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave, NY NY, 10028.

There will be a memorial service on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Guastavino’s, 409 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022 (www.guastavinos.com) at 12 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Colin’s memory to Broadway Cares, www.broadwaycares.org.