Born in Salamanca, NY, Mr. Kevin O’Rourke is a life-long
resident of Cattaraugus County. He is
Vice President of O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc, Salamanca, NY and has been with
the 120 year old firm for the past 35 years. Kevin is a graduate of Niagara
University, Class of 1981, receiving a BA in Business Administration &
Marketing, and received an Applied Science Degree in Mortuary Science in
Syracuse, NY in 1982. Since 1983, he has been a nationally certified and New
York State licensed funeral director. He resides in Ellicottville with his
wife, Thérèse, and their two sons, Liam and Quinn. He is a member of the Holy Name of Mary Roman
Catholic Church, Ellicottville Sportsmans Club, and a former member of the
Salamanca Kiwanis Club. As an avid skier,
he is involved with the National Ski Patrol System, volunteering with the
Holiday Valley Ski Patrol for over 30 years, providing winter emergency care.
“It is my desire to continue my duties as Coroner and ensure
that Cattaraugus County remains adequately and geographically covered by
Coroners who have the ability to respond to unattended, accidental, or criminal
deaths in a timely and knowledgeable fashion,” said Kevin O’Rourke. “It is also essential that this office
effectively works with police, fire, and EMS personnel who are vital to public
safety. My tenure as Coroner as well as
my practical experience as a funeral director enables me to carry out this
position in a professional manner, with the ability to effectively deal with
families during the most difficult and emotional time.”
O’Rourke also said, “The position of Coroner is a boots on
the ground operation and requires an immediate response with the ability to
walk a tree line, enter an abandoned dwelling, or make a house call. Often
times, a response is necessary in the middle of the night. Death is certainly
not a topic that most people wish to talk about, but unfortunately it does
occur, and it is often tragic. A coroner’s job cannot be performed from a
hospital or a doctor’s office. The job is in the field, and it is a job that
I’ve been doing for nearly 26 years and I’m asking for your support so that I
may continue.”
The Cattaraugus County Coroners have continuously been
fiscally responsible stewards of taxpayer money. Mr. O’Rourke takes great pride
in working with his coroner colleagues in Cattaraugus County to perform the job
in a professional and efficient manner, saving what could amount to potentially
hundreds of thousands of dollars if a medical examiner position were created.
