Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan on December 24th, 1934, and he died on October 28th, 2026. Son of Thomas and Henrietta O’Rourke, Tom attended Detroit Catholic Central, graduating in 1952, later attending University of Detroit Mercy where he graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science.

Tom was a lifetime champion. From competing in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics at the ripe old age of 17 to his multiple world records in his 70s and 80s, his competitive spirit lasted a lifetime. As a skier, rider and skater he competed in over 5,000 races. Some of his other notable accomplishments included competing in the 1953 National Championships, as well as the 1954 and 1959 Pan-American Games in Mexico. After his first cycling career, he went on to ski race worldwide. He competed all over Europe, South America and his personal favorite, Chile. He continued racing as he raised a family and worked on transforming a dairy barn into a Historic Landmark. Tom instilled the same values that brought him an early lifetime of success into his children: positive thinking, goal setting, and relentless competitiveness.

In between winning medals and setting records, Tom built a career selling life insurance policies across the nation. He continued his competitive spirit by winning numerous awards in the life insurance community.

Later in life, he got back on his bike and started riding on a Velodrome track. His winnings didn’t stop in his youth. Starting at 70 years old he began his second cycling career, where he competed worldwide posting 15 World Records. During his second competitive cycling career, Tom broke existing world records and broke a few his own world records. Tom competed in the Senior Olympics in California, Lisbon, Portugal, Sydney, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Tom is a member of the Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame for snow skiing and cycling. Up to his final moments, Tom was training to be the World's fastest 92 year old.

Tom seemed to have an infinite number of original inspiring quotes, incredible adventures, and life-defining moments. On his 90th birthday, he summarized his story:
“ People asked me…do you like skiing? No, but I like to race”

“You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough."

"Go as far as you can for as long as you can“

“I have no regrets. I did everything I wanted to do”

He loved supporting his family in their athletic endeavors, supporting Catholic Central sports and all types of racing at the Mad Track Velodrome Arena (formerly the Lexus Arena) in downtown Detroit.

He is survived by his children Marc O’Rourke, Kelly O’Brien and his grandchildren Max and Ryan O’Rourke and Sam O’Brien. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM at O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River Ave. Novi, MI 48375. Visitation continues on Monday, November 9, 2026 from 10:00 AM until time of funeral mass at 10:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 46325 W 10 Mile Rd, Novi, MI 48374.