John O'Rourke

John Francis (Jack) O’Rourke (age 91) of Lakewood, NJ died on December 25, 2023 after a short illness. He was born in Jersey City, NJ on January 20, 1932 and resided in Jersey City until 1957 when he married the love of his life Vivian De Stefano, also of Jersey City. They lived in Palisades Park, then moved to Roselle, then to Westfield where they resided for 17 years. They moved to Shark River Hills in Neptune in 1990, then to Toms River upon retirement in 1997, and then to Lakewood in 2017.

Jack served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1950 – 1958. He started his career as a purchasing agent for the M.W. Kellogg Company in Jersey City, then at Bechtel Corporation in New York City, and Schering Plough in Union, NJ. He then worked as a salesman for several companies in the industrial pipes, valves and fittings industry, eventually rising to Vice President of East Coast Sales for Gulf Supply Company of Houston, Texas.

After retiring in 1997, Jack became an associate of the Manasquan River Group of Brielle, Casco Supply of Mountainside, then started the sales representative firm of Horicon, Inc. of Toms River and served as its President until 2010.

Jack was also active with several civic and industry associations. He was President of the Greater Elizabeth Jaycees from 1965 – 1966. He joined the New York Engineers Club in 1967 and was named President of their Golf Group in 1986. He was also a member of the Pine Tree Players in Spring Lake, Lake Ridge Drama Club in Toms River and the Navy League in Lakehurst.

Jack is pre-deceased by his parents Frank and Emma O’Rourke, sister Marion Webb, brothers Ken and Frank O’Rourke and daughter Valerie O’Rourke Foley. He is survived by his wife Vivian of Lakewood, son John and wife Cynthia O’Rourke of Monroe, CT, daughter Lorraine and husband Charles Parker of Wall Township, daughter Janice and husband Darren Setlow of Yarmouth, Maine and seven grandchildren; Jay O’Rourke, Casey Parker, Amy O’Rourke, Kristin Parker, Luke Foley, Ryan Setlow, and Conor Setlow.

A visitation for John will be held Friday, January 5, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at D'Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, January 6, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. John's Catholic Church, 619 Chestnut St, Lakehurst, NJ 08733.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jack’s name to the Donor Outreach for Veterans at https://www.dovetransplant.org/.