James M Rourke

JAMES M. ROURKE

Born on January 12, 1954, in Troy, NY, Jim departed this earth on May 30th, 2023, after a short battle with lung cancer.

The third son of James and Jane Rourke, Jim was born into a large Irish Catholic family that ultimately numbered 7 children. He attended St. Augustine’s Catholic School and Lansingburg High School in Troy and later earned his Associate's, Bachelor's, and MBA degrees.

As a young man in the 70’s, Jim ventured from the family home to travel and live with friends throughout the United States. His lack of ‘wheels’ didn’t deter him, and he craftily lured rides from passing motorists by juggling alongside the highways. In 1976, he took his travels to the next level by joining the US Army, which brought him to Texas, Kansas, and Kitzigen, Germany, where he was stationed for 2 years. While in Germany, he served as a medic but found even more satisfaction driving the autobahn in a late model sports car and skiing the Bavarian Alps. After his military service Jim returned to his family home in Syracuse, NY, where he took up employment and utilized the G.I. Bill to attend college. Later he was employed by General Electric as a laborer and with hard work, determination, and his MBA he worked his way through the ranks, gaining more responsibility along the way. Ultimately, this led to his appointment as the Director of Import-Export Control at Raytheon Technologies Corporation, a position that brought his military experience full circle when presenting information at the US State Department and other important venues.

Despite Jim’s path from blue-collar laborer to corporate success, Jim’s proudest accomplishment began in 1984, when he curated a beautiful family of his own with the love of his life, Carmela Squadrito, leading to two adoring children in Kate and Dan. From his union with Carmela, Jim adopted more family in the Squadritos, relationships which he cherished - not to mention their food. Jim, Carmela, and the kids enjoyed a fun, spirited, and wholesome life together in Syracuse, Rhode Island, and Fort Myers, Florida, forging long-term friendships and priceless memories in each locale. For Jim, such a great family could only be topped by one thing and that was his precious granddaughter, Scarlet.

Jim was an avid reader. He loved the music he grew up with and took up the guitar in earnest as a retirement hobby. He enjoyed boating and for years captained ‘Carmela by the Sea’; a cabin cruiser named after his wife.

Jim was predeceased by his father, James F. Rourke and mother, Jane M. Rourke as well his brother, Kevin F. Rourke, all of North Syracuse, NY. Survivors include his wife Carmela, daughter Kate (Michael Truppi), son Dan (Lauren Castelli), granddaughter Scarlet, sister Eileen (Kevan Cook) and brothers Rick, Bob, Mike (Sally), and Brian (Jennifer). Countless cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends - all of which he loved - also mourn his passing.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted with Nardolillo Funeral Home of Cranston, Rhode Island. Visitation in Rhode Island will be at the Nardolillo Funeral Home in Cranston on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm with a funeral service immediately following. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held in the Syracuse area on a date, time, and place to be set later in June.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim’s name to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284-9168 or American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.