Michael Patrick Hurley

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Michael Patrick Hurley, of Washington, DC and formerly of Peabody, MA passed away on January 2, 2022 after a courageous battle against a relentless illness with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of Dr. Joyce Sandra and the son of late Eugene Hurley and late Delia (Burke) Hurley.

Michael was born in Salem, MA and raised in Peabody, MA. From a very young age, it was abundantly clear that Michael was determined to achieve everything he set out to be. His education started at Saint John the Baptist School in Peabody, MA where his quiet self-reliant, logical nature was beginning to form. At twelve, he declared himself an “entrepreneur” and built a large newspaper delivery route (along with his precious dogs Blaze and Bristol in tow) from scratch that was passed onto his younger brothers. Rarely boastful, Michael graduated in the top ten in a class of around 800 from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. He earned a Marine Engineering degree with a concentration in Engineering Sciences from The Maine Maritime Academy (MMA), excelling with a high honors designation. Michael’s lifelong passion for travel and interest in world culture took root in his semesters at sea while at the Academy.

Michael obtained his United States Coast Guard Engineer License, joined the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics and completed a two-year Management Trainee Program at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. As a Consultant Engineer for the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Submarine Programs Michael received high commendations for his leadership and hard work. Michael’s love for Engineering took him to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) where his strong leadership skills in Design and Program Management earned him recognition for his distinguished career, receiving several awards, most notably The Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for his work on the National Geospatial Agency (NGA) and the Joint Base Myer Building Assessments, distinction as the 2019 National USACE Installation Support Professional of the Year nominee, the USACE Commander’s Coin Award presented by General Semonite for outstanding contributions to the NGA program, The NAB Team Award for NGA East Campus completion and a Certificate of Appreciation for his service to the United States of America.

As significant as Michael’s professional accomplishments were, his true legacy lies in the individual he was. Michael made a lasting impact on all who met him – he taught us to laugh at the silly things in life, not to sweat the small stuff and to enjoy simple pleasures as they held the greatest importance to him. He helped those in need without expecting anything in return, cheered for the underdog and approached all challenges with his “wicked” sense of humor, resilience and kindness. An avid naturalist and swimmer, Michael enjoyed hiking, biking, kayaking, walks in the woods, skydiving, sailing, scuba diving (a couple of times with sharks!), the performing arts, sharing a six pack of “PBR” with friends and most importantly keeping in touch and spending time with family and friends. During the start of the Pandemic, Michael hosted virtual “Hurley Happy Hours” every Saturday by selecting some of his and the family’s favorite music, so that we could be connected even though apart.

In his span of extensive travels, Michael visited six continents barring only Antarctica, exploring the Great Barrier Reef, living among the Hmong Hill tribes in Thailand, aiding conservation groups in preservation of the Indochinese tiger and the Bolivian Amazon rainforest and going to Ireland twice, taking pride in his Irish culture and ancestry in addition to learning a few choice Gaelic phrases!! However, Michael’s love for his beloved New England had him making his annual September pilgrimages to the Massachusetts North Shore beaches (Good Harbor, Wingaersheek, Singing, Cranes, and Plum Island), cheering his Boston sports teams (Tom Brady’s #1 fan- coined “Boston Bucs- aka Tampa Bay Buccaneers”) and reveling in the joy of the Boston accent calling him home.

Michael’s strongest strength was his will to “never give up” in the face of adversity. During the last few months, Michael was the epitome of dignity, determination and grace in the most difficult of circumstances. He will always be remembered for his selfless commitment to finding an ALS cure.

Michael was a loving husband, brother, son and friend. In addition to his wife, Dr. Joyce Sandra of Washington DC, Michael is survived by his siblings Jeanne/William Zack of Fairfax, VA and Naples, FL, Kathleen Hurley of Peabody, Erin/ Retd. Lt Col Thomas Marshall of Triangle, VA, James Hurley of Peabody, MA, Brian Hurley/Carla of Canton, MA, Patrick Hurley of Peabody, MA, Sean Hurley/Joan of Monroe, CT, and Ryan Hurley/Eric Brush formerly of Boston and now residing in Honolulu, Hawaii. Michael is also survived by his nieces and nephew Kaitlin, Lauren and John Hurley, his aunt Virginia Michaud of Salem, MA and several cousins. He is predeceased by his brother Eugene J Hurley Jr. and his many maternal and paternal aunts and uncles.

Following a Private Visitation, Blessing and Cremation held at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA, the family would like to invite relatives, friends and all whose lives Michael touched, to attend (one or all of the services) a Visitation on May 14th, 2022 to be held at Cahill- Conway Brodeur between 8AM- 9:30AM. Eucharistic Celebration of Life Service will be held on May 14th at 10:00AM at thSt. John the Baptist Church, Peabody, MA followed by Burial at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody and a Remembrance Luncheon thereafter.

In remembrance of Michael, expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers, can be made in his memory to the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Sean Healey Center for ALS

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