Michael D. Hurley, 76, of Newtown died May 29 in Colorado Springs, Colo., with his loving wife of 43 years by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr Hurley was visiting family at the time of his death. He was born February 28, 1939, in Jersey City, N.J., and was the son of the late Rose (Duffy) and Thomas Hurley. 

He attended St John’s Parochial School and St Peter’s Prep in Jersey City. He was a standout athlete and football player at St Peter’s, where he played tackle on both offense and defense. He received countless athletic accolades and was named to numerous All-State first teams by various publications, including the Newark Star Ledger and the Jersey Journal. In 2010, he was inducted into the St Peter’s Prep Athletic Hall of Fame for his athletic achievements in football.

After graduating from St Peter’s in 1956, Mr Hurley attended Boston College on a full athletic scholarship, and played varsity football for four years. During that time, he played in the inaugural football game at Alumni Field. He graduated in 1960 with a degree in business.

Following college, he served proudly as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Quantico, Va., and Twentynine Palms, Calif. He left active duty at the rank of captain. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1970. Following his active military service, Mr Hurley began a distinguished career in international business for the American Can Company in Greenwich. He rose to lirector, international sales and marketing, with a focus on accounts in the Caribbean and West Indies. 

He married Lorraine Ann on November 6, 1971, and they had three daughters. In 1975, he settled with his family on South Main Street. During his 40 years in Newtown, he was elected to serve three terms on the Newtown Legislative Council, where he spearheaded several key initiatives.

Mr Hurley retired in Newtown and remained active in the community and many civic organizations. Among other roles, he served as a security consultant at Danbury Hospital, was named chairman of the Gulf War Veterans Memorial Committee, coached Pop Warner Football, and was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Boston College Varsity Club. Michael was also a member of the United States Marine Corps League of Ridgefield, and served for six years as the Newtown area director of the Marine Corps Toys For Tots program. He was active in the St Rose of Lima parish community, where he served as a Eucharistic minister, lector and director of athletics for St Rose School. 

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine, of Newtown; his daughters, Maura Kuehling of Amsterdam, N.Y., Cara Wallen of Colorado Springs, and Micaela McMurrough of New York City; three sons-in-law, Rusty Kuehling, Benjamin Wallen, and Jason McMurrough; and his pride and joy, his seven grandchildren, Grace, Shawn, and Maggie Kuehling, Alec, Jack, and Sadie Wallen, and Evelyn McMurrough, plus a McMurrough grandchild on the way; as well as his sister, Anne Trocki of West Orange, N.J. He also leaves numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. His parents and two sisters, Helen Granger and Mary Hull, predeceased Mr Hurley.

There will be a Memorial Mass, Saturday, June 27, at 10:30 am, at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

“Vitamutatur Mon Tollitur – Life is changed, not ended.”

Memorial donations may be made to the St Peter's Prep Advancement Office, 144 Grand Street, Jersey City NJ 07032 or online at www.stpetersprep.org/donate.

To leave an online condolence visit www.tsfs.co.