O'Rourke, William Joseph – Age 87 of Kingston, passed away May 12, 2022, in Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Middleton. Born October 25, 1934, in Lashburn, Saskatchewan, he was a son of the late Hugh and Elizabeth (Reinhofer) O'Rourke.

Cremation has taken place. Interment will take place in both North Kingston Cemetery and Newbrook Community Cemetery, Newbrook, Alberta at a later date. The full obituary may be viewed and please share your fond memories, stories, and photos of Bill by visiting the online guestbook at: www.middletonfuneralhome.com

A Personal Tribute to William J. O'Rourke from Susan DeMone

In lieu of a lengthy formal obituary and /or traditional condolences, I'm asking any of Bill's friends and family to sign the Guest Book and write in their own words who William J. O'Rourke (aka "Bill") was to them and to share some stories or history about him as they knew him to be, such as I'm doing now, be it only a few words or many.

These are a few of the things which I know of "Bill" O'Rourke – I know him to be a good man; caring, hardworking, loyal, stubborn as heck sometimes, and a pain in the butt too but always good-hearted and always very giving. Bill was a giver and a helper and never a "taker" in this life. He was my long-time friend and I loved him more than even I knew and I am missing him more than I ever knew that I would as well, this 1 year and 5 months and 2 weeks since his passing on to greener fields. It's October 23, 2023 and this Wednesday, October  25th, 2023 will be his 2nd birthday in Heaven since passing on to be with the Lord on May 12, 2022. Today I felt compelled to finally go to the Middleton Funeral Home where his ashes are resting safely at peace awaiting interment next year. We will have a small obituary put in the Chronicle Herald before his birthday on October 25 and I am setting up his online memorial with the loving and expert help from the caring staff here at the Middleton Funeral Home. The 36 pictures which I had quickly picked out to ask them to scan and to be put into his photo gallery are just a few of many which I hope his family out West will add to. There are pictures of his Mom and Dad's homestead in Newbrook, Alberta and pictures of Bill's beautiful home in Beaumont, Alberta where he lived for many years and hosted many get togethers and dinners every Christmas and on other occasions with his family members before moving to Nova Scotia when he was 75 and driving across Canada in his little Nissan truck seeking out new adventures! Bill loved his family – his Mom and Dad and siblings and their families and nephews and their families. He was a true family man and was a faithful partner to the love of his life Eva whom he lost to cancer after many wonderful years together. They loved travelling and seeing new places and collecting souvenirs along the way from where they'd visited. Bill worked for CP Rail for many years and retired early due to a work-related accident which affected his mobility but he could still "out work" younger folk even with his disability as that's the kind of "old school" person Bill was – always wanting to keep busy, be it tending his flower beds at his Beaumont home, or putting in a big vegetable garden with his beloved brother John at the family's old homestead in Newbrook (where they had built a newer little home on their land not too far from the original old home – both had woodstoves for cooking and Bill loved to fire up the cookstove when visiting the farm.) I've known Bill for over 35 years and we both helped one another out after we decided to move to Nova Scotia to take care of one another in the small home which we both purchased. This was Bill's second home of his own with his first one in Beaumont being his first, best, pride, and joy. Bill's osteoarthritis got real bad in the last several years of his life and he had to give up driving after a hip replacement but that didn't stop us from spending our days driving around together as his first doctor, Dr. Yafai, use to say, "You can't keep a good man down" and Bill was exactly that! We enjoyed many drives and lunches, etcetera, etcetera, and many mini excursions locally from Annapolis to Wolfville, and of course, to the beautiful shores. Bill loved his cat Ruby and I'm sure she's by his side now as she adored him as well. I miss you Bill and I could go on and on about the stuff which you loved to do but I'll let other family members fill in those blanks and leave that for them to share. Please save me a seat beside you up there, Bill, and I'll get to meet your Eva as well in time. In the meantime, you're thought of with love every single day and even though we did butt heads, having being the two Irish folk that we are, that's part of our DNA! We both loved and respected one another more than I believe that even we knew at the time but I'm sure we both know it now! Kurt and I both miss you and until we meet again in time please know that we are still trying to keep up with you regarding running this little household with all of it's yard work etc. Everywhere we look and or wander on this property there's a reminder of you having lived and enjoyed being here. We are so blessed to have had you in our lives and it was an honour caring for you when your mobility became compromised. OK I'll quit rambling and simply end this by saying "See You Later..."

Love Always, Susan

PS: Actually I want to add a big thank you to God and to His Angels for introducing you into mine and Kurt's lives. You were, and are, and always will be, the best family member we've ever been blessed to live with and to have shared our lives with. May you Rest in Peace and watch out over us like you've always done. I do see the signs of your presence such as the red cardinals and I believe that you're listening when I'm talking to you sometimes while I'm driving. Bill, I feel that you are still very much with Kurt and I in so many ways...

Love Always and Forever, Susan, Kurt, and Our Beloved Rescued Fur Baby Family Members

Family and Friends:

Please share fond memories, stories, and photos of Bill in the Guestbook section.

(Even a sentence to two, with or without a candle or photo, would be very much appreciated.)

Thank you