Donald Ball O’Rourke

Our dear Don O'Rourke, age 90, of Winter Park Florida, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2023.
Don was born July 13th, 1932 in Dunkirk, New York to Donald Victor and Allene Lucille O'Rourke.

He graduated high school from St. Mary's Academy in Dunkirk, New York. He studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy and graduated with a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Miami.

Don was a patriot who loved his country. As a young man, he served in the Army during the last 2 years of the Korean War. He was stationed in the Newfoundland.

Don was an avid sports fan (Buffalo Bills and college football, in particular) and played many sports: football (high school), baseball (high school), basketball (high school, college and Army) and golf (a favorite adult pastime for many years). He was a member of the Miami Chapter Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America. He was also active in church throughout his life. Don was involved in the Men's Club and Catholic Scripture Studies at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

Early in his professional life, Don enjoyed success in several fields, including education and insurance, but he ultimately found his niche with Hewlett-Packard selling scientific calculators. Once the market moved to computers, Don parlayed his product expertise into a busy repair business. Don was respected around the globe for his insight and technical skills with Texas Instruments and Hewlett-Packard scientific calculators. He would receive repair requests from scientists, financial analysts, engineers, mathematicians, etc ….. all of whom cherished their trusty calculators and knew that Don was one of the few people in the world who could properly service them.

Don was very quick witted, loved challenging others and had a terrific sense of humor. Apart from his spiritual side, Don had this innate, lovable "geekiness" about him!

There is no doubt he will live on in the memories of all those who loved him. Don will be remembered for concluding his conversations with his classic words "Carry on". Family and friends can rest assured that is something Don would earnestly want all of us to do in the wake of his passing.

Don is survived by his son Dan O'Rourke, along with his wife Wanda of Miami, Florida; his daughter Cathy Hall, with her husband Tom of Pasadena, Maryland.

Don is also survived by his four grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews; also, many close friends and a parish family of brothers and sisters-in-Christ.

Don is preceded in death by his daughter Margaret Helen "Peggy" O'Rourke, sister Anne Kaminski, brother James O'Rourke, his father and mother, Donald and Allene.

A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 10:30 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 5300 Old Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, Florida 32792. Reception to follow in church's Parish Hall.

Interment will be on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 2:00 at Queen of Angels Catholic Cemetery 1901 Queen of Angels Drive Winter Park, Florida 32792.

Arrangements are by Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions Winter Park Chapel 3806 Howell Branch Rd Winter Park, FL 32792

To share your memories of Don or leave a special condolence message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking if you can kindly donate to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church Men's Club.