Obituary of James Harold Rourke

James H. Rourke, 72, died on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at his home in West Orange, NJ, with is family by his side. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the Dangler Funeral Home of West Orange, 340 Main Street in West Orange at 9 AM. Then to Saint Joseph's Church, 44 Benvenue Ave. in West Orange for the Funeral Mass at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. Visiting will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 PM. Letters of condolence may be posted at danglerfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Jim's name to Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Jim was born on February 8, 1942 to Harold and Bernice. He moved to West Orange with his wife Pat 44 years ago. Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1960, attaining the rank of Corporal (E4) before his discharge in 1964. He served as a jet engine mechanic on F-8 Crusaders in the Marine Fighter Squadron (All Weather) 122 & 451. While stationed in Japan, he developed a love of Japanese culture- in particular a love of sushi, which he shared with many others through the years, often at the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant. Jim joined the Essex County Park Police as a patrolman in 1965, and retired from the Essex County Police Department as a Sergeant in 1991. He was an active member of the West Orange Elks Lodge, and had been serving as president of North Jersey Nu Voices." Rarely to be found far from a book or newspaper, Jim had a sharp and eager mind always seeking to learn. He had many hobbies, including a love of cooking, gardening, fishing, crosswords, and history. Jim had a quick wit and loved sharing jokes and stories, and he wouldn't hesitate to go out of his way if there were anything he could do to help his friends or family. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Patricia Whiteley Rourke; by his brother Paul; his sister, Diane Zamorski; his daughter, Meagan Waters and her husband Todd; his son, Matthew and his wife Kimberly; his grandchildren, Christopher, Sierra, Skye, and Kellan; and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He was a kind and generous man who will be missed by all who had the honor to know him.