Charles Philip O'Rourke III

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude for a life lived to its absolute fullest, we remember C. Philip O'Rourke, III, who passed away on October 30, 2026, at the age of 59. Born on November 19, 1966, Phil grew up in Radnor, Pennsylvania. He was a proud graduate of Conestoga High School and earned his degree from Villanova University in 1991, laying the groundwork for a life full of passion, adventure, and warm connection with friends everywhere he went.

Driven by a boundless spirit of adventure, Phil headed to California after college with a close group of friends. He immersed himself in the majesty of the mountains, working at The North Face and spending endless days scaling rock and ice. His grit, focus, and sheer joy for the outdoors culminated in conquering El Capitan…twice.

Phil pivoted to finance after a few years and spent most of his career on Wall Street, first trading options on the American Stock Exchange and then landing a prestigious seat on the New York Stock Exchange. It was there, amidst the energy of the NYSE trading floor, that he met the love of his life and future wife, Ali.

While Phil’s achievements were grand and his adventures unforgettable, his heart always belonged first and foremost to his family. His deep, unwavering devotion was the anchor of everything he did. He was a fiercely loving partner to Ali, and above all else, an extraordinarily proud and doting father to his daughter, Bryn, who was truly the light of his life and his greatest joy. Every moment spent together was precious to Phil, and he centered his world on bringing laughter, warmth, and security to those he loved most.

Throughout his life, a passion for skiing, white water kayaking, fly fi shing, climbing, golf and talking to strangers at the bar led Phil all over the world and brought him new friends everywhere he went.

After years of splitting time between New York and Readsboro, Phil retired from finance in his late 40’s to embrace his favorite roles: full-time Dad and ski patroller in Vermont. Five years ago, the family made their home in Manchester, where Phil poured his enthusiasm into golf and proudly served on the Board of Directors at his beloved Ekwanok Country Club—where he spent countless happy hours both on the fairways and sharing stories over a pint.

Whether navigating the intense energy of the trading floor, mastering a challenging golf course, or paddling through wild river rapids, Phil approached life with bravery, precision, and an infectious warmth. Blessed with the classic Irish gift of gab and a legendary humor, he brought light and laughter into every room he entered. His loyalty ran deep, nurturing lifelong friendships from Radnor to San Francisco, and across the hills, waterways, and fairways of Vermont. Phil leaves behind a vibrant legacy of love, laughter, and an unforgettable zest for life.

Phil is survived by his beloved wife, Ali; his adored daughter, Bryn; his twin brother, Fran and wife, Meridith; his sister, Mary Pat, and husband, Matt Bonanni; his nieces, Kelly, Bridget, Kasey, Phoebe and Pia; and nephews Braden and Rafa. His in-laws, Susanne and George Minnich, Peter and Cindy Mathias; brother-in-law Greg Mathias; sister-in-law Christine Stuyck and husband Jaime. He was predeceased by his loving parents, C. Philip O'Rourke, Jr. and Patricia O'Rourke. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by his family, colleagues, club community, and the global circle of adventurers he called friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 5th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Christ Our Savior Church, 398 Bonnet St, Manchester, VT followed by a toast at Mulligans, 3912 Main Street, in Manchester. A celebration of Phil's life and funeral service will follow on Friday, November 6th at 10:00 AM at the same church followed by burial at Dellwood Cemetery and a luncheon at Ekwanok Country Club in Manchester. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Phil's memory to SVHC Foundation, in heartfelt support of the dialysis center that provided such compassionate care at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Checks made to SVHC Foundation in Phil’s honor can be mailed to: SVHC Foundation, 100 Hospital Drive, Suite 41, Bennington, VT 05201.