Obituary for Michael J. Hurley
DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUES, THE MASS WILL NOT BE LIVE STREAMED.
Michael James Hurley of Wethersfield, husband of Carol Garvey Hurley for almost 35 years died peacefully on January, 2023 with his family by his side. Mike was born on May 24, 1964, loving son of the late Philip D. “Tidge” Hurley and Joanne Patchell Hurley who he cared for many years as they struggled with dementia, including helping his mother put his father to bed every night for many years and temporarily living with his mother until they could get full time care. His devotion to his parents was unwavering and we are sure he has a ticket straight to heaven. He grew up in Wethersfield and was a Wethersfield High School Class of 1982 graduate. As a child he enjoyed summers at the family-owned Fagan house at the CT shoreline and many summers with his Aunt Faye Patchell Hart and her children in Wytopitlock, Maine. In later life when married he enjoyed many vacations in Chatham, MA with his wife’s family. As a youth Mike was always a hard worker, often holding more than one job. This work ethic continued into his adult life. Mike returned to college after he married all the while working full time as a CO at Hartford Correctional Center. He graduated with a degree in Accounting from UConn, always achieving high grades and soon after passed the CPA exam. He was an auditor for the State of CT, worked at Arthur Anderson and United Healthcare and ended his career at The Traveler’s. When Mike was first diagnosed with brain cancer in August of 2019 he returned to work 4 months after his surgery and radiation while simultaneously doing chemotherapy and continued to work until April 13, 2022. He loved his job and coworkers at The Travelers. Mike was a member of the Town Council from 2009 until 2020 where he finished out his political career as Deputy Mayor of Wethersfield. Mike volunteered for many organizations. He was on the WGDR soccer board for many years and also coached. He was also the Chair of The Wethersfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraising Committee for many years and was honored several times most recently as the Grand Marshal of the Hartford St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2020. He was a longtime member of the Irish American Home in Glastonbury. He also received the Community Impact Award from the CT Brain Tumor Alliance. Mike was known for his outgoing, friendly personality and being a jokester. He loved his Patriots, Guinness, tequila and of course his fireball shots that he would pass out at many events which usually ended with him doing the “Hurley
Shuffle” the funny dance named by his friends. Mike played Santa in the neighborhood for many years visiting homes on Christmas night. Mike faced his diagnosis and progression of symptoms with fortitude, grace and unwavering faith. He dearly loved his family and friends. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind to mourn his passing, his children Mike James Hurley Jr. of Wethersfield, Patrick Garvey Hurley of Boston, Brennan Garvey Hurley of West Haven and Bridget Elizabeth Hurley of Wethersfield and his grandson Cooper Ericson who made him a beaming grandfather. He also leaves his sister Lynne Boucher (Ray) and their children Lindsay and Danny. He also leaves his mother in law Annette Jalbert Garvey, his sister in laws Laura Garvey Engel (Jim) and their children James, Tabitha, Nadine, Matthew and Jack, Erin Garvey (Dave Knapp) and their children Hayden, Fiona and Zoe and Sharon Zalcman (Barry) and her daughter Katie Hurley. He also leaves his Aunt Kathy Hurley (predeceased by his Uncle Jim Hurley) and their children Susan, Elaine and Patty. He was predeceased by his brother Philip L. Hurley in 2002 and his father in law Attorney Donald J. Garvey and his cousin Jimmy Hurley. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, January 14th at Incarnation Church at 10:00 am. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, CT. Calling hours are Friday, January 13th at Farley Sullivan Funeral Home, 4:00pm – 7:00pm. A scholarship in his name will be set up for outstanding volunteer student at Wethersfield High School. Anyone wishing to donate can mail checks to Michael J Hurley Volunteerism Scholarship, 76 Black Birch, Wethersfield CT 06109. To extend condolences please visit Farleysullivan.com.
Michael James Hurley of Wethersfield, husband of Carol Garvey Hurley for almost 35 years died peacefully on January, 2023 with his family by his side. Mike was born on May 24, 1964, loving son of the late Philip D. “Tidge” Hurley and Joanne Patchell Hurley who he cared for many years as they struggled with dementia, including helping his mother put his father to bed every night for many years and temporarily living with his mother until they could get full time care. His devotion to his parents was unwavering and we are sure he has a ticket straight to heaven. He grew up in Wethersfield and was a Wethersfield High School Class of 1982 graduate. As a child he enjoyed summers at the family-owned Fagan house at the CT shoreline and many summers with his Aunt Faye Patchell Hart and her children in Wytopitlock, Maine. In later life when married he enjoyed many vacations in Chatham, MA with his wife’s family. As a youth Mike was always a hard worker, often holding more than one job. This work ethic continued into his adult life. Mike returned to college after he married all the while working full time as a CO at Hartford Correctional Center. He graduated with a degree in Accounting from UConn, always achieving high grades and soon after passed the CPA exam. He was an auditor for the State of CT, worked at Arthur Anderson and United Healthcare and ended his career at The Traveler’s. When Mike was first diagnosed with brain cancer in August of 2019 he returned to work 4 months after his surgery and radiation while simultaneously doing chemotherapy and continued to work until April 13, 2022. He loved his job and coworkers at The Travelers. Mike was a member of the Town Council from 2009 until 2020 where he finished out his political career as Deputy Mayor of Wethersfield. Mike volunteered for many organizations. He was on the WGDR soccer board for many years and also coached. He was also the Chair of The Wethersfield St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraising Committee for many years and was honored several times most recently as the Grand Marshal of the Hartford St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2020. He was a longtime member of the Irish American Home in Glastonbury. He also received the Community Impact Award from the CT Brain Tumor Alliance. Mike was known for his outgoing, friendly personality and being a jokester. He loved his Patriots, Guinness, tequila and of course his fireball shots that he would pass out at many events which usually ended with him doing the “Hurley
Shuffle” the funny dance named by his friends. Mike played Santa in the neighborhood for many years visiting homes on Christmas night. Mike faced his diagnosis and progression of symptoms with fortitude, grace and unwavering faith. He dearly loved his family and friends. In addition to his wife, he leaves behind to mourn his passing, his children Mike James Hurley Jr. of Wethersfield, Patrick Garvey Hurley of Boston, Brennan Garvey Hurley of West Haven and Bridget Elizabeth Hurley of Wethersfield and his grandson Cooper Ericson who made him a beaming grandfather. He also leaves his sister Lynne Boucher (Ray) and their children Lindsay and Danny. He also leaves his mother in law Annette Jalbert Garvey, his sister in laws Laura Garvey Engel (Jim) and their children James, Tabitha, Nadine, Matthew and Jack, Erin Garvey (Dave Knapp) and their children Hayden, Fiona and Zoe and Sharon Zalcman (Barry) and her daughter Katie Hurley. He also leaves his Aunt Kathy Hurley (predeceased by his Uncle Jim Hurley) and their children Susan, Elaine and Patty. He was predeceased by his brother Philip L. Hurley in 2002 and his father in law Attorney Donald J. Garvey and his cousin Jimmy Hurley. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, January 14th at Incarnation Church at 10:00 am. Burial will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, CT. Calling hours are Friday, January 13th at Farley Sullivan Funeral Home, 4:00pm – 7:00pm. A scholarship in his name will be set up for outstanding volunteer student at Wethersfield High School. Anyone wishing to donate can mail checks to Michael J Hurley Volunteerism Scholarship, 76 Black Birch, Wethersfield CT 06109. To extend condolences please visit Farleysullivan.com.