Sign In
Thomas Francis Rourk
Thomas Francis Rourk, 65, passed away in his beloved Carlisle on October 30, 2021 surrounded by his family. What follows is a chronology of Tom’s life, which can’t begin to express what a life well-lived it was and how he delighted in it. With his trademark bolo tie, cowboy boots, ponytail and broad-brimmed hat, Tom was a familiar presence, always volunteering to help in matters large or small. His generosity is legendary, although he was so modest about it that much of it didn’t surface until people began comparing notes when he fell ill. From taking inner-city kids apple picking every fall, to orchestrating an enormous Thanksgiving dinner in Union Hall for anyone who was without family, to taking home-made food to shut-ins, he was everywhere he perceived anyone in need. He was a joy-bringer, loved by all who knew him. Tom was born in Winchester, MA on November 29, 1955, grew up in Carlisle and resided there for much of his life. He attended Carlisle public schools, Concord-Carlisle Regional High School and North Bennett Street School where he learned the art of piano tuning and restoration. Not long after graduating from North Bennet Street School, he moved to Ireland to practice his craft there. Because he was a polyglot, he quickly learned Irish and could declaim poems in Irish or in English. He loved reciting and singing in pubs, having been blessed with perfect pitch. He made many friends in Ireland and has kept in touch with them all in the years since. When he returned from Ireland he worked for a private company for a while before starting his own business. He serviced the pianos and harpsichords of clients large and small, from an upright piano in the local VA hospital (which he did free of charge) to the grand pianos and harpsichords of major universities. Through his Irish connections, he started working on Phil Coulter’s Tranquility Cruises, an annual Caribbean cruise with lots of Irish music and passengers from Ireland and the US. He kept the pianos and other instruments in top-working order as well as helping out with staging and lighting. He always enjoyed the cruises and reconnecting with old friends. (And sending teasing snapshots to freezing friends in February’s New England). He loved canoeing along the Concord River and was quite the amateur naturalist. He loved to fish and was a great fly fisherman, eventually learning to make his own lures. He also enjoyed target shooting and was an avid member of the Concord Rod and Gun Club. Tom was the family historian and did extensive research into his family’s Irish and Scottish roots, going back generations. He made a pilgrimage to New Brunswick, Canada to meet some distant relatives who still live on the land their ancestors farmed 200 years ago. He built a family tree going back five or six generations, which he delighted in sharing with his immediate family. He also loved American history, and for a number of years organized a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the Green at FRS every July 4th at noon. All were welcome to attend and read or just listen, and he always issued a special invitation to immigrants new to this country. Some years, he (and others) were in period costume. One of Tom’s greatest loves was music. His extensive knowledge ranged from classical music to traditional Irish music. He was just as adept at remembering song lyrics as he was at remembering poems and could out-recite almost anyone, with the possible exception of acquaintances John O’Donohue and Seamus Heaney. Tom was predeceased by his parents James B. and Jeanne F. (McLean) Rourk of Carlisle. He is survived by his siblings Sheila G. Kearney of Andover, CT, Eileen E. Organ of Grand Junction, CO, Stephen J. Rourk of Manchester, NH, Michael H. Rourk of Springfield, MA, Daniel C. Rourk of Ayer, MA and special cousins Patrice Methe of Ashby, MA and Alyce Underhill of Hull, MA plus several nieces and nephews, with whom he loved spending time. He was an active member of the First Religious Society, a Unitarian Universalist Church in Carlisle. We are very grateful for the support of the church members and of the Mottershead family, who provided a loving place for him to spend his final days. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11am at the First Religious Society, 27 School Street, Carlisle, MA with a reception following at 1pm at the Concord Rod and Gun Club, 74 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA. Masks are required inside the church. Private burial will be held at Green Cemetery in Carlisle. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom’s name to common cathedral (Ecclesia Ministries, Inc), 15 Newbury Street, Boston 02116, a church for the homeless and/or to Big Business Network Inc. 61 Greenwood Street, Dorchester MA 02121. FRS is one of the churches that each year volunteers to take lunch to the homeless attendees at common cathedral, Sundays on the Common. Tom always deviled six dozen eggs and went with the group to Boston. Big Business Network was founded to inspire self-motivation within the youth of underprivileged communities. It is youth from this organization that Tom took apple picking every fall. Arrangements are under the care of Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. <p style="position: relative; padding: 0px 0px 56.25% 0px; height: 0; overflow: hidden;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/auhdhwxWz60?playlist=auhdhwxWz60&loop=1" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0;" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>November 29, 1955 - October 30, 202111/29/195510/30/2021
Share Obituary:
Thomas Francis Rourk
Tribute wall
G
M
N
A candle was posted for Thomas Francis Rourk.
B
Loading story for Thomas Francis Rourk