Patrick O'Rourke

O’ROURKE. Patrick “Paddy” Michael Counihan

9 November 1930 – 20 October 2025. Peacefully in his 95th year in Wellington Hospital, surrounded by family. Dearly loved husband of the late Shirley. Adored father and father-in-law of Michael and Di, Mary-Anne and Tony, Johnny and Letia, Gabrielle, Stephen and Stacey. Cherished “Paddy” to his grandchildren: Helen, Ciaran, Jess, Livvy and Charlie.

Proud great granddad to Maggie and Gussie. Loved brother of the late John. Deeply loved by family in Ireland, England and New Zealand. A Funeral Mass to celebrate Paddy’s life will be held at St Anne’s Catholic Church, Emmett Street Newtown, on Tuesday 28 October 2025 at 11:00am, followed by interment at Mākara Cemetery.

The Rosary will be prayed at St Anne’s Catholic Church on Monday 27 October at 3:00pm. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Te Hopai whānau for their loving care, the Wellington Free Ambulance and Wellington Hospital staff for their compassion and support, and to all those who have helped care for Dad in recent years. In lieu of flowers donations to The Te Hopai Trust (www.tehopai.co.nz) would be appreciated. Tributes for Paddy can be left at www.lychgate.co.nz/send-a-tribute/ or sent to the O’Rourke Family, C/- 306 Willis Street Wellington 6011.

Tributes

Joe Green

My heartfelt sympathy and prayers for Pat, and his family. What a loving and kind gentleman! A fond memory is when Anne (nee Hectors) and I bought our first home in 1979: Pat had our application for a mortgage filed under “the loving couple”! A faithfilled role model to us all. Rest in peace Pat!

Eileen Rose McParland

Condolences to the O’Rourke family
especially to Gaby and Helen.

Nancy Gee

Patrick was a fellow member of Cook Strait Toastmasters – he was a wonderful man – a true gentleman and was adored by us all. His stories and his friendship will always be remembered and treasured.
Patrick always spoke highly of his lovely family – he was very proud of all he had achieved – my thoughts are with you all at this tough time.
Kind regards
Nancy

Mike Kinsella

I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn from Gabriel today that Pat passed away on 20 October. I knew from the annual exchange of Christmas cards that he had been in ailing health for some time but nevertheless, his death must have come as a great shock to you all. Will you please accept my most sincere condolences in your sad and tragic loss. Regrettably, I don`t think I have met any of you personally but if you ever asked Pat who I was he would say “Pancho”- that being my nickname at 93 Rintoul Street. We all had nicknames. Pat`s was Rosebud and there were also Spud and Didhams.
93 Rintoul Street was a well known address especially among fine young fellows who had graduated from Oznam House – a hostel run by the Society of St Vincent de Paul for young single men coming to work in Wellington. It was a grotty old building located on he corner of Cambridge Terrace and Wakefield Street. Residence at 93 provided the opportunity to join any number of protest groups Pat was involved with such as “Save The Trams”, “The invasion of Hungary by the USSR” and any others designed to bring defeat to the National Party. Opportunities also involved sliding into Bellamys on the coat tales of Labour Party members like Sir Frank Kitts and Paddy Blanchfield. Perhaps I had better stop there.
I will remember Pat with warm and great affection and as a man of strong character and faith and know he will be missed by all who knew him.
“Rest in Peace dear friend”.
With warm regards to you all.
Mike Kinsella

Richard Yee Joanna soffe

We are deeply saddened to say goodbye to our dear friend and loyal client, Patrick. Thank you, Patrick, for many years of friendship and support at the barbershop. Patrick, you were more than a client, you became part of our family. We all looked forward to your visits., you’re easy-going nature, and your wonderful sense of humor that always brightened our day.
May God be looking after you now, and we know you’ll be keeping your hair looking sharp up there in heaven.

With heartfelt sympathy from Richard and Jo,(The Razorsedge Barber Shop) and family.

Helen Dobson

So sorry to learn about Patrick. My condolences.
I’m sorry I could not make the funeral but my thoughts are with you.
Rest in Peace Paddy.
Helen Dobson (Sophia’s daughter 203)

Nigel Mander

I don’t think I met Paddy face to face but I met his daughter, Gabrielle, when I studied Statistics, Probability and Data Analysis at VUW in the 1980s. I tried to persuade Gabrielle to get involved in something political and she told me that she would seek her father’s advice on it. Over the years after that, I sometimes saw newspaper reports when Gabby achieved significant statistics in her chosen sport! Now, since I’ve attended Paddy’s funeral, I’ve had the pleasure of learning more about a worthy man who served his Lord and the community through many years of faithful living. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Arohanui, Nigel Ü