A Sad Family Announcement
Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 09:14AM A day that was threatening for a long time - for years, to be truthful - finally arrived yesterday at a little before 8 p.m.: my father, Fergus J. O'Rourke, died, peacefully in his sleep, in his own bed, in his 87th year.
I may not be able to do so, but I hope to post more information here over the next 48 hours. If I do not, those interested and able to do so, may wish to keep an eye on Monday's editions of "The Irish Times" and "Irish Examiner".
For those who know nothing of what was indisputably a most distinguished life, this set of Google results will give a flavour. (Diverse though his enthusiasms were, the two references to fire-fighting in Chicago in those Google results are to another FJO'R). He was a medically qualified biological scientist, originally a myrmecologist, and that is what his readily accessible published work reflects. What is not reflected is the breadth of his other scholarly interests, some of which also issued in published work. Early in his life, he was quite the archaeologist, for example; Christian theology, palaeontology, modern art featured, too.
He had virtually no interest in politics, the Law or banking & finance. What that says about me and about him, I will leave for another day !
Reader Comments (5)
Sincere commiserations to you, to Brendan and to the rest of your family. Thinking of you.
Your dad sounds like a very interesting and erudite person. The apple obviously didn't fall far from the tree.
I was so sorry to learn of your fathers death. We were unable to make it to Dublin for the funeral but will visit with your mum in the near future. We have some nice photos of Fergus and will pass them on. I hope that you are taking some comfort in all those who are wishing you well at this sad time and sending our thoughts of support to you all.
with best wishes, Gretta, Sally and Aki O'Rourke in Tralee.