Michael Patrick O'Rourke

Michael Patrick O’Rourke
February 5, 1964 – July 26, 2025

Michael Patrick O'Rourke, 61, of Chichester, NH (formerly of Wilmington, MA), passed away on July 26, 2025—likely because he finally ran out of projects to tinker with, motors to rebuild, or life advice to shout across the garage.

Born February 5, 1964, to James and Joan (Graham) O’Rourke, Mike was a tough-as-nails New Englander who proudly served in the U.S. Army before building a long career as a stationary engineer. If it had an engine, Mike could fix it. If it was broken, he had a wrench. If it was working fine, he’d probably still take it apart—just to make sure.

Mike had a gruff voice, a strong back, and a no-nonsense attitude that somehow always came with a smile (eventually). He loved motorcycles, boating, and farming—and had a deep affection for tractors and Hawaiian shirts. He never met a machine he couldn’t tame or a moment he couldn’t fix with a quick “Be a man.”

To his family, he was simply Pa. And if you were lucky enough to know Pa, you knew that under all that tough love was the most dependable, loyal, and quietly generous man around. If he loved you, you never had to question it. He showed up every time, whether you asked him to or not.

Mike was predeceased by his father, James O’Rourke, and his brother, Thomas O’Rourke. He is survived by his wife, Wendy O’Rourke; his mother, Joan O’Rourke; his sister, Sandi Strohman and her husband Nile Strohman; his brother, James O’Rourke; his daughters Abbie O’Rourke, Candace Dewey and her husband Garret, and Keri Sullivan and her husband Steve; and his grandchildren—Jameson Dewey, Griffen Dewey, Morgan Dewey, and Ezra Sullivan—who will grow up hearing stories about the man who could fix anything and believed in doing things the right way: his way. Also, let's not forget about the dogs, Little and Potato.

A celebration of life will be held August 16, 2025 at 2 pm at his home in Spring Hope, NC. Military honors will be observed in recognition of Mike’s service to his country August 21, 2025 at 2 pm at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH with a mercy meal to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Mike by doing something he’d approve of: help someone without being asked, fix something yourself, wear a Hawaiian shirt proudly, or just look someone in the eye and say, “Be a man.”