ROURKE,
William Harold
passed away peacefully at home at the age of 70 years on January 22, 2003, after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Harold will be lovingly remembered by his wife Judy; daughter Kathie (Sam) Pletsch of Vernon; son Mike Rourke of Vancouver; stepdaughters Karen McCulla of Vancouver; Sally (Peter) Reiss of Portola Valley; and Kathleen Findlay of Calgary; seven grandchildren, Jaime, Jennifer, Jessica, Alison, Aaron, Ryan and Kara; and several members of his extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and daughter Debra (1991). Born in Courtney, BC, Harold lived there until he moved to Ladysmith, BC in his teen years. He graduated from L.H.S. in 1950 and returned to the school as a teacher from 1954 to 1969. The very popular teacher coached the Senior Boys Basketball team to win the B.C. Championship in 1956. He became principal at L.H.S. prior to moving to Nanaimo in 1969 and then to Vernon in 1970 , where he became Principal of Fulton School. A few years later, he moved to the School District Office as Director of Personnel and eventually as Superintendent of Schools. Harold retired in 1991 and was immediately selected as President of the 1992 B.C. Winter Games. Harold enjoyed giving to his community. He was chairman of the Vernon Hospital Board, Director of Transportation of the 1982 B.C. Summer Games and a member of the Vernon Expo ‘86 Committee. Harold was also involved with the BC Teachers Federation, the BC Association of School Superintendents, the Vernon Gyro Club, School District extra-curricular team sports and other athletic activities. In January 1999, Harold was named Vernon’s Good Citizen of the Year. Harold lived every day to the fullest. His retirement years were full and happy playing golf with his buddies, keeping up on all the sports activities and being Judy’s best friend. Harold had an optimistic outlook on life and loved to be with people. Harold would often say that the greatest legacy a person can leave is that the world is a little bit better place because you were a part of it. This world is most definitely a better place because Harold Rourke was a part of it. He will be lovingly remembered by all who knew him. A Celebration Of Life Service will be held on Monday January 27, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the Trinity United Church. Those friends wishing to make memorial donations in memory of Harold may do so to the Baerg-McMurtry Cancer Clinic Comfort Fund, 2101 32nd Street, Vernon, V1T 5L2, or Vernon and District Hospice House, 3506 7thAvenue,Vernon,V1T1S4. Arrangements have been entrusted to Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, 542-4333. Those wishing to send messages of sympathy may do so to pvfh@canada.