Alums Honor Fallen Brother

James Scully Rourke (Jimbo) of the Boston College class of 1980, died suddenly at the age of 48 on March 28, 2006, in Oakland, Calif., while playing hockey. He was born in Milford, Conn., Nov. 6, 1957, the beloved son of James H. Rourke and Mary Colligan Rourke who now live in Doylestown, PA. Jimbo was the west coast representative for Ilapak Inc. of Newtown, PA. Prior to attending BC, he graduated from Fairfield College Preparatory School in Fairfield, CT and following his four years on the Heights of Chestnut Hill he earned a master's degree in Management from JFK University. Jimbo is also survived by one son, Kerry (age 16) of Lafayette, CA.

In honor of Jimbo's commitment to BC Rugby and the ideals of Boston College, several alums have joined together to commission a set of Memorial Match Jerseys that will be worn for the first time by the BC Rugby Team in the upcoming fall season. On September 23rd, 2006 BCRFC will recognize Jimbo's life and passing with a moment of silence prior to its first home match of the season. In addition, there will be a memorial patch sewn into each of the Memorial Match Jerseys, bringing Jimbo's presence back to the pitch this fall and for many years to come.

Fellow alum Tom Russo, '80, summed up Jimbo's impact best, "Jimbo will always be remembered as a colorful character, with a love for life, his friends, rugby and for BC. He was the picture of happiness and contentment at our last class reunion. What else would you expect from him, right?"

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