Former County Executive Andrew P. O’Rourke was remembered by friends and family Wednesday, when about 200 people gathered for his funeral at St. Patrick’s Church in Yorktown Heights.
Among those who attended were the present county executive, Robert P. Astorino, and two former county executives: Andrew J. Spano and Alfred B. DelBello, as well as other present and former elected officials.
A police motorcycle escort accompanied him to the church, and the Westchester County Police did a helicopter flyover in his honor. The Westchester County Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums played as his casket entered and left the church.
O’Rourke served as Westchester county executive from 1983 to 1997. Prior to that, he was a Yonkers councilman and chairman of the county Board of Legislators. After retiring as county executive, he became a state judge.
He died Jan. 3 at the age of 79. In his honor, flags have been at half-mast on county property at the direction of Astorino, who considered O’Rourke both a friend and mentor. (See Astorino's statement on the dealth of O'Rourke.)
O’Rourke’s daughter, Alice, gave the eulogy with humor and love, as she described her father’s many accomplishments and the help he gave so many.
“He was able o get so much done by doing so much for others,” she said.