James P O'Rourke Jr.

James Peter O'Rourke Jr. passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Dublin, New Hampshire. The fourth of five children, "Jummer" was born on July 19, 1972, in Utica, NY, to James P. and Claire R. O'Rourke. He graduated from South Lewis Central School, where he was a strong student and homecoming king who excelled in football, wrestling, and baseball. While obtaining a BA at Hamilton College, Jim forged life-long friendships as a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and met his future wife, Emily, whom he referred to as the love of his life. He later juggled a full-time sales job with night classes at George Washington Law School, obtaining his JD in 2003. As a member of the New Hampshire Bar, Jim served as a prosecutor and then a defense attorney specializing in criminal and family law. 

Jim worked hard to emulate the coaches he so admired growing up. He coached numerous youth teams, as well as high school football, in Weare, Amherst, and Hillsborough. He loved mentoring young people, and he also brought a coaching mentality to his work as an attorney. An intense competitor (and Giants fan), Jim was also a hopeless romantic and soft touch. His children knew he was the parent to ask for money. Anyone who followed his social media knows he loved live music, the beauty of nature, and old barns. He devoured books, had a self-deprecating sense of humor, and enjoyed sitting and shooting the breeze. He was a loyal friend to many, from all facets of his life. 

Jim valued family above all else and was extremely close to his four siblings. He loved being an uncle and especially a dad. No matter how tired he was after work, he would change his clothes and play with the kids or pat their backs until they fell asleep. As they grew older, they appreciated him for being as much a friend as a father. 

Jim is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Emily Valle O'Rourke, and their children Joseph Liam O'Rourke and Thea Anne O'Rourke. His parents are deceased. Jim is also survived by his siblings and their spouses, Tom and Edie O'Rourke of Boonville, Michael O'Rourke and Jeremy Carling of Redding, U.K., Anne and Kyle Stephenson of Richmond, VA, and Pat and Ruth O'Rourke of Havertown, PA, as well as 14 nephews and nieces and one great-niece. 

The family is so grateful for the outpouring of love. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 25, at 4:00pm at the Rowe Hotel at Assembly Row, 360 Foley St, Somerville, MA, and in Boonville, NY at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dublin School Nordic Center online at https://www.dublinschool.org/athletics/nordic-center or C/O Dublin School: 18 Lehmann Way, Dublin, NH 03444.