With credentials that included CPA and certified fraud examiner, O'Rourke founded and ran RSM McGladrey's credit union internal audit co-sourcing unit.

Under O'Rourke's leadership, the California firm became one of the top credit union executive recruitment firms in the U.S. Last year, O'Rourke was voted by his credit union colleagues as one of CU Times' Final Four most influential leaders in the industry over the last 25 years.

“I've had the honor and privilege to work with Gene for the past 15 years,” Juratovac said. “He built his business and reputation on absolute quality and integrity and developed a culture for all of us here at O'Rourke that enabled us to flourish as professionals, individuals and as a team.”

In addition to executive recruitment, O'Rourke expanded his services to human resources consulting, compensation and retention analysis, leadership development and succession planning for many credit unions around the country. In addition to credit unions, O'Rourke also served banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions.

“Gene had an enormous impact on the credit union industry. He was a guiding light from a leadership development perspective and as an advisor, facilitated prudent financial management,” Susan Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates in Boulder City, Nev., said.

Mitchell was a former partner of O'Rourke, Mitchell and Associates.

“Gene was an entrepreneur who grew his business and garnered much respect over the course of his career,” she said. “He touched many lives and helped to shape the careers of hundreds of credit union executives. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and to his colleagues.”

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Teresa of Avila Church in San Francisco.

In lieu of flowers, the O'Rourke family welcomes donations to the John P. and Helen R. O'Rourke scholarship funds at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose.