CHARLTON-Mark D. Rourke, 47, died Monday January 19th after a long illness, surrounded by family and friends in the comfort of his home. He is survived by his wife, Holly E. Dolan-Rourke, his daughter Kelly of Charlton, his mother, Beverly (Frizzle) Rourke of Springfield, MA, a brother Stephen and his wife Denise Rourke of Ludlow, a sister Susan, wife of Edward Olbon of Wilbraham, MA, his in-laws John and Christine Dolan of Enfield CT, a brother in-law Jack and his wife Julie Dolan of West Boylston, MA, 3 nephews Andrew, John and Mark, 2 nieces Jacqueline and Samantha. Mark is also survived by countless members of the Bement family, all of them his brothers and sisters in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was born and raised in Springfield the son of John and Beverly Rourke. Mr. Rourke was a 1974 graduate of Classical High School where he played varsity basketball and was a member of the renowned Madrigal Singers. He received undergraduate degrees from Springfield Technical Community College, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a graduate degree from Springfield College. Mark’s career was centered on carrying out the mission and ministry of the Bement Camp and Conference Center in Charlton. Over a period of 33 years, Mark held a number of staff positions at Bement, culminating in being named Executive Director in 1989. Under his leadership, Bement has flourished becoming the centerpiece for creative and life giving Christian faith formation, spiritual development and community building within the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA. Mark’s ministry has reached thousands of young people and adults during his tenure at Bement and his legacy will live on in them, as the next generation of Bement leaders who will carry out the lord’s work in that special place. In addition to his camp and conference leadership skills, Mark had a number of other talents. He was a musician, songwriter, playwright, poet, photographer, woodworker, furniture maker and homebuilder. Mark also served as an emergency medical technician and was a member of the American Camping Assocation. Mark and his family are members of Christ Church in Rochdale, MA
A Festival Eucharist to celebrate Mark’s life and ministry will be Thursday January 22nd with a service at 2:00 PM in All Saints Episcopal Church, 10 Irving Street. Calling hours are Wednesday, January 21st from 3:00 until 5:00 and 6:00 until 9:00 PM in the church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue is directing arrangements. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Mark Rourke Memorial Fund, a fund to enable Mark's vision for Camp Bement, c/o Bement Camp and Conference Center, 73 Jones Road, Charlton, MA 01507. Information will follow on the Kelly E. Rourke Scholarship Fund.