Former County Executive Andrew O’Rourke Dies at 79
Andrew O’Rourke, who oversaw a string of important projects during his 15 years as the Westchester County executive but never forgot his humble roots, died last Friday after a long illness. He was 79.
O’Rourke, a Yorktown resident, passed away at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx from complications from lung cancer.
O’Rourke, was born on Oct. 26, 1933, in Plainfield, N.J., and grew up in Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen. He graduated from Fordham College in 1954 after moving to Yonkers, where he would later get his start in politics. Once he completed service in the U.S. Air Force, he returned home to earn his law degree from New York University. He was admitted to the bar in 1962.
While Westchester residents may best remember O’Rourke, a Republican, serving as county executive from 1983 to 1997, he began his public life as a member of the Yonkers City Council from 1966 to 1973. That time on the council included a stint as its majority leader, followed by the next nine years as a member of the county Board of Legislators. O’Rourke was chairman for his final four years on the board, before being appointed to succeed Alfred DelBello as county executive when DelBello became lieutenant governor for former Gov. Mario Cuomo’s first term.
“Those who knew him will remember him for his extraordinary wit and charm as well as his compassion for all,” said County Executive Rob Astorino, who was appointed by O’Rourke to the Board of Ethics in 1995. “These are traits that served him well through his long career as a Yonkers councilman, a county legislator, county executive and then a judge. I offer my condolences to his family and friends and ask that we all keep Andy in our prayers.”
O’Rourke won re-election bids in 1985, 1989 and 1993 before accepting an appointment from former Gov. George Pataki to the New York Court of Claims. He was then elected to a 14-year term for state Supreme Court in November 2000.
The only election O’Rourke lost was a gubernatorial run in 1986 against Cuomo.
Members of county government past and present praised O’Rourke’s service.
“The residents of Westchester County owe a debt of gratitude to Mr. O’Rourke and his legacy will be that he truly made Westchester a better place for all its residents,” Board of Legislators’ Republican Minority Leader Jim Maisano said as part of a statement hours after O’Rourke’s death.
Among the projects his administration oversaw was the rebuilding of the Westchester County Center, the renovation of Westchester County Airport and returning Croton Point Park to recreational use after it had been used as a garbage dump.
Another high profile project was the initiation of the WestHELP affordable housing program that was developed in Greenburgh in 1992. He was also instrumental in introducing public-private partnerships such as the Westchester Medical Center, DelBello said.
DelBello, whose career paralleled O’Rourke’s, remembered his sometimes political foe and contemporary was someone who could battle hard for what he believed in but consistently decided what was right.
“I think his legacy is not only that he always tried to do the work of the people, but that he put the best interests of the county first, ahead of politics,” DelBello said.
Furthermore, DelBello said O’Rourke’s hardships as a youngster kept him grounded and empathetic toward the less fortunate. O’Rourke’s father died when he was two and the family needed to go on welfare, he said.
DelBello recalled that O’Rourke had mentioned to him at various times over the years that he one day he hoped to become a judge.
County Legislator and former board chairman Bill Ryan (D-White Plains) said early on in his career he remembered O’Rourke as a politician who sometimes had tough words for him, especially when Ryan was in the state Assembly and was supporting one of his unsuccessful challengers.
“But, over the years we developed a liking and respect for one another. I was sorry to learn last week that he had passed away,” Ryan said. “I’ll remember Andy as a capable leader of Westchester, a statesman, always a gentleman, and a guy I came to like as a friend.”
O’Rourke is survived by his second wife, Flora, his three children from his first marriage and seven grandchildren.
His funeral is set for Wednesday, Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, located at 137 Moseman Rd. in Yorktown Heights.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/