Francis J. 'Frank' Rourke

Waltham – It has been said that you can often tell of a man's worth from his hands…not his wallet. Frank Rourke's hands at almost 98 years old showed the hard work and dedication of his talents as a bricklayer all of his life. His masonry skills employed him for over 55 years with the Local #3 Bricklayers Union in Boston. And in conjunction with his work with the Local #3 Union and in retirement he was always busy with side work installing steps, chimneys, fireplaces, walkways and other various projects for family, friends and those for hire. Aside from his family his pride and joy was the home he built on Albert Street in Waltham.

Francis J. 'Frank' Rourke died Wednesday, October 10, 2018 in Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford. He was 97. His wife of 69 years, Claire A. (Schubert) Rourke died Saturday, September 22, 2018.

Born on October 18, 1920 in Manchester, New Hampshire he was the only child of the late Francis H. and Agnes K. (McCarthy) Rourke. He married Brooklyn, New York native Claire A. Schubert on February 12, 1949 in New York City and they made Waltham their home. Frank was a decorated United States Army veteran of World War II. He was a member of the 23rd Infantry Division, the 'Americal Division', and organized many of its local reunions.

Frank's Army unit left port a month after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor in December, 1941 and he didn't see home again until the surrender came in August, 1945. The Americal Division saw action during some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific . . . at Guadalcanal, the Northern Solomons and in the Southern Philippines.

Frank and Claire enjoyed travelling and took the family on a memorable cross country trip. An avid reader he also enjoyed a round of golf, fishing, and time by the ocean, lobster dinners (with lots of butter) and various genres of music among his favorite being anything Irish. Their home always had a dog or cat or both and they bred American Staffordshire Terriers.

He leaves his children, Stephen F. Rourke (Donna) of Waltham, Regina C. Harrold (Robert) of Franklin and Bernice A. Bell (Jay) of Bellingham; his grandchildren, Adam Rourke (Jenny Blicharz), Patrick Rourke (Maria), Stephanie Bahl (Gaurav), Regan Harrold (Greg Andreola) and Emily Day (Alan); his great grandchildren, Miyana and Kamran Bahl; his sister-in-law, Eileen L. Jackson of Maryland; several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Frank's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Sunday, October 14th from 2 to 5 p.m. and again on Monday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 am. Burial with military honors will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Waltham Public Library, 735 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451 or David James Hospice Unit 2C, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.