WINTHROP - Paul Edward Rourke, age 85, died peacefully at Maine Veteran’s Home on Thursday,December 8, 2011 after a long illness. He was a resident of Winthrop for 78 years and a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Paul always felt that Winthrop was an ideal place to live and raise a family. He leaves behind his beloved wife Lillian to whom he was happily married for 57 years. He also leaves behind his son Paul and wife Linda, and their daughters Maya and Shishana of Homer, AK; also, his daughter Rachel Sunnell and husband Ellwood (Skip) Sunnell, and their children, Lars and Grace of Gorham, ME. Paul will be missed by his sister, Marie Connors, of Rocky River, OH, and the many nieces, nephews, and friends he leaves behind as well. Paul graduated from Winthrop High School in 1944, attended Kent’s Hill School, and graduated from University of Maine in 1951. He obtained a master’s degree in education and rehabilitation from Boston University and earned a graduate certificate in social work from Louisiana State University. Paul also served in the US Navy as a hospital corpsman, 3rd class, during World War II. His career spanned 38 years in rehabilitation and services for the blind for the Maine Department of Human Services. Paul was one of the first professionally trained persons in the field in the state. During his tenure in the department, he served in many positions, until becoming director of the Division of the Blind. Under his direction, Maine Services for the Blind became one of the first state agencies in the country to be accredited by the National Accreditation Council for agencies serving the blind. Paul served over the years at St. Francis as Eucharistic minister, Sunday school teacher, and president of the Catholic Men’s Club. He was a member of the Winthrop Lion’s Club, and was an active volunteer in many community activities, including Cub Scouts. During his retirement years, Paul and Lillian wintered in Estero, FL, as well as traveled extensively throughout the US and Canada in their motor home. They also enjoyed several trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and Europe. Paul enjoyed his career of working with the blind and was proud of the many advances made by the Division of the Blind over the years. A memorial Mass will be held on December 15, at 7:00 am in honor of Paul at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Rt.133, in Winthrop. Coffee will be served at the home of Lillian Rourke in Manchester following the service. Visiting hours will be held Thursday, December 29 from 5-8pm at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St. Winthrop. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, at 10:00 on December 30, 2011. A reception will follow at the church hall. Burial will be in Glenside Cemetery. The family requests donations, in lieu of flowers, that will go to a College Scholarship for a Winthrop High School graduate. Please send donations addressed to: The Paul Rourke Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Kennebec Savings Bank, 84 Main St., Winthrop. ME 04364. Condolences, Memories, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com