O’Rourke, Clair M. (Gill) of South Boston entered eternal rest on July 24th at the age of 95. Daughter of the late Thomas A. Gill and Anna J. Hennessy. Beloved wife of the late Bernard A. O’Rourke (BFD); Mother of Stephen F. O’Rourke (Boston EMS Retired) of South Boston, and Bernard P. O’Rourke (BPD Retired) and his wife Patricia of Braintree.
Clair cherished her grandchildren and their spouses: Shauna Lynch and her husband Daniel of South Boston, Ryan O’Rourke (Milton PD) and his wife Kristin of Braintree, Brittany Daniels and her husband Drew of Pleasantville NY. Great grandmother of Myles and Conor Lynch, Teagan and Delaney O’Rourke, Kayleigh and Mason Daniels. Sister of Marian Bata and her late husband Charles of Braintree, George Donahue and his wife Kay of Braintree, John Gill and his late wife Pamela of Brockton, Donald Gill and his wife Evelyn of Bridgewater, Patricia Bosco and her husband John of Punta Gorda FL, Paul Gill of Brockton, Barbara Tropea and her late husband Dave of Abington. Clair was predeceased by her siblings Bernadette Brawn and her late husband Kenneth of Meredith NH, Dorothea McKenna and her late husband Gus of Waltham, Robert Donahue of South Boston and Patricia Tremblay of Braintree who is survived by her husband Bert. Clair is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was fortunate to have such friends as Roberta Keegan and Lynette Jarvis.
Clair was a graduate of South Boston High School Class of 1947. She was a life-long resident of Southie and valued the long-standing traditions and culture of the old neighborhood. She grew up in the Italian section of Southie where people sat on their doorsteps at dusk and watched out for their own children and their neighbors’children.
Clair’s niece, Maureen Buckley Warren, was like a daughter to her, and Maureen’s sons were like grandsons: Michael Alessandro, Dennis Alessandro (BFD), Kevin Alessandro, Brian Alessandro (BFD), and Steven Alessandro.
Clair loved St. Patrick’s Day, but her favorite time of year was Christmas. She loved Christmas Eve at her nephew Tim Buckley and his wife Janie’s house, and Christmas Night at her niece Maureen’s home, or her nephew Bill and his wife Jeannette Buckley’s home.
Clair was a member of the Castle Island Association and loved going to the monthly meetings with her friend the late Tina Martini. She and Tina were also regular attendees at the 12:00 Mass at Gate of Heaven followed by breakfast at an always crowded My Diner. Clair loved to travel with the CIA and was often accompanied by her sister Marian or her friend the late Sis Joyce.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 2nd at 11:00 AM at the Gate of Heaven Church. Visiting hours will be from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at the Casper Funeral Home at 187 Dorchester Street in South Boston. Burial will be at New Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Clair's memory to Gate of Heaven Church.