Hackettstown Honors Denis O’Rourke as 2014 St. Patrick’s Grand Marshal

The Hackettstown Business Improvement District has named businessman Denis O’Rourke as the Grand Marshal of its sixth annual St. Patrick’s Parade.  The parade takes place Sunday, March 16, and will feature traditional Irish pipe bands and dancers, string bands, area community groups and fire departments as well as groups from Centenary College, M&M Mars and Fulton Bank NJ.

O’Rourke, a fourth generation Irish-American, has a long history of business and community service to the area.  In 1988, he opened a community bank in Hackettstown.  As board chair for over 20 years, he facilitated the merger of two banks to form Fulton Bank of NJ, where he is lead director.  Fulton Bank now has 27 branches in northwest New Jersey and more than $1 billion in assets.

After leaving his full time banking position he started another business as a financial, marketing and sales consultant to the residential real estate market.  And he also volunteers as a member or committee chair for several chambers of commerce, Dover General Hospital, Centenary College, Dialysis Center of NWNJ, West Morris YMCA, Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and Knights of Columbus.

O’Rourke's family found the U.S. when his fraternal great-grandfather, Bernard O’Rorke, emigrated to New York City from Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, Ireland in 1904.   His maternal great-grandfather, Denis Hennessey, emigrated from Glangisteen, County Kerry, Ireland to the U.S. in 1898.  In current times, O'Rourke is the father of Timothy and Colleen and grandfather of 7-year-old twins, through which his family continues its Irish heritage.

A Grand Marshal Reception honoring O’Rourke will be at David’s Country Inn at 314 Main St. on Friday, March 7.