Edward R. Hurley

Portsmouth, RI - Edward R. Hurley, 95, of Portsmouth, died Thursday, October 24, 2013 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born at home, in Woonsocket, RI to Irish immigrants on August 15, 1918, he was the son of the late John J. Hurley and Susan (McCabe) Hurley. He graduated from high school with the class of 1935, at the age of 16 and enrolled in The Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. He married Arlene O'Neill, of Blackstone, MA, who was his wife for sixty-five years and who preceded him in death at the age of 85. During WWII, he served aboard the Destroyer USS Hanson in the Pacific Theater, and worked for the Naval Underwater Systems Center, where he was the head of the Fleet Services Department, retiring in 1973. He attended Rhode Island College, where he received a Master's Degree in History, and was a member of the PHI ALPHA THETA Honor Society in History. He was also a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, a Life member of the Newport Museum of Irish History, a member of the Christopher Rooney Council of the Knights of Columbus, a former lector at St. Barnabas Church, and a member of the American Legion in Portsmouth, and the Multi-Purpose Center in Portsmouth. During the 1950's and 60"s, he was an umpire and manager in the Portsmouth Little League, and was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox. He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Peckham and her husband Dwayne of Portsmouth, RI, and his son John Hurley and his wife Lisa, of Centennial, CO, his grandchildren, Molly Hurley of Centennial, CO and Lily Walters and her husband Adam, of Herndon, VA, Andrew and Connor Peckham of Portsmouth, RI, and his twin nieces Lorraine De Turk, of Fort Meyers, FL and Elaine Rimel of Tarpon Springs, FL. His daughter, Susan Hurley and his brothers, John R. Hurley, William F. Hurley and Leo V. Hurley all precede him in death. Calling hours will be held on Monday October 28, 2013 from 4-7pm in the Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI. His funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013, at 9am from the funeral home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park, Howland Avenue, Middletown.Memorial donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 931 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI 02886. Cemetery Details Newport Memorial Park Vaucluse Avenue Middletown, RI, Visitation OCT 28. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Connors Funeral Home 55 West Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.connorsfuneralhome.com Service OCT 29. 10:00 AM St. Barnabas Catholic Church 1697 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US