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James C. Hurley of Martinsville, VA passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 13, 2026 at the venerable age of 93. Born August 25, 1932, Jim was born to the late Helen Betz in the Richmond Hill neighborhood of Queens, New York. There, he lived his youth, raised by Helen and his stepfather, Paul F. Betz. Jim spent his career as a police officer for the Dutchess County (NY) Sheriff’s Department and retired from the department after 25 years of dedicated service.As a child he spent many enjoyable summers with his grandfather on the family’s dairy farm in East Schodack, NY while his mother stayed in New York City working as a nurse. In free time between taking care of the animals, and working the farm, Jim’s grandfather taught him to play checkers; a love of the game became a lifelong pastime. Besides checkers, the family had a strong tradition of passing time at gatherings playing 500 Rummy, an interest that has been competitively passed to his wife and children – who keep the tradition going.After graduating from St. Benedict Joseph Catholic school in Richmond Hill, Jim got his first job at Dorgler’s Garage in Queens, where he learned to be a top-notch mechanic under the mentorship of Fred “Freddie” Dorgler. Jim became an avid gearhead with a love for V-8 engines, Chevrolets, and Indian Motorcycles. Back in the day he would have been labeled, pridefully, as a greaser, and a street racer. As a young man he raced for the Indian Motorcycle factory’s racing team, “the Wrecking Crew” in Springfield, MA. His love for motorcycles had him traveling to various motorcycle rallies, including the 103year old Loudon Classic in New Hampshire. Although he began his racing career with motorcycles, he also raced Stock Cars at the Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY. When he was not racing himself, he worked in the pit crews of other drivers, helping them to keep their cars running in top form. Jim was also a diehard NASCAR fan. His favorite drivers were the Junior Johnson sponsored, Cale Yarborough, and later, Dale Earnhardt. His favorite track was the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Annual family vacations were spent in Martinsville for the all races, while summertime vacations were spent in Lake George, NY.Before becoming a police officer, Jim used his love of farming taught to him by his grandfather to get gainful employment at Carl Amer’s Farms in Dutchess County, NY, and operated his own garage with a fellow gearhead and business partner in LaGrange, NY.In 1962 he met the love of his life, Hazel Louise Griffin. They were married for 58 years and raised 3 children on a small quadrant of the Maple Hill Farm in Pleasant Valley, New York. “The Farm,” as it was called, was host to a motley crew of folks who make up the patchwork quilt of friends and acquaintances that filled out the Hurley’s social network. Their kitchen, known endearingly as, “Hazel’s Coffee Spot” became the hub for a vast array of interesting characters and eccentric personalities - some breezed through, while others settled at the farm.Jim was fiercely loyal and protective of his family and friends. He was always willing to lend a hand, and friends describe him as a good and decent man who is very inspirational. He demonstrated determination and perseverance throughout his entire life. He took pride in his abilities with auto repair, and helping family, friends and neighbors with their engine troubles and vehicle woes. His skill with automobiles eventually led to an adjunct position working for the county of Dutchess as a mechanic for both the sheriff’s department cars and various county vehicles. He did this in addition to fulfilling his police duties.In 1984 he was regretfully forced into an early retirement from the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department after suffering devasting damage to his right leg from a motorcycle accident. It was after retirement that he and Hazel moved to Bassett, Virgina where they bought a big 1800’s farmhouse that they lovingly worked on for 34 years. In Bassett, the Hurley family legacy of welcoming visitors continued, especially during race time. Jim set up a home garage/workshop where he continued helping friends and family with their cars. In 2019, Hazel and Jim sold their farmhouse and moved to a small bungalow in Martinsville. In addition to his wife Hazel, Jim is survived by a daughter, Cathy Hodges of Rocky Mount, VA, son, CJ Hurley and Daughter-in-law, Barbara Pierce of Oil City, PA. Jim was immensely proud of his only grandson, Edward Hodges of Rocky Mount, VA, who survives along with his fiancé, Katie Ferguson. He is also survived by his siblings Shirley Ann Tufano and Paul Betz, both of Averill Park, NY, nephews John, Robert, and Jody Tufano, and their children, his daughter-in-law’s family, Carolyn Pierce and Melissa and Micah Nguyen, and a host of family friends who loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.Jim was preceded in death by his mom, Helen Betz, stepfather, Paul F. Betz, his eldest daughter, Sharon Valyou, and his daughter Cathy’s husband Johnny Hodges.In accordance with Jim’s wishes, a private cremation has been arranged through Bassett Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held for family and friends from near and far during the warm season. Jim lived a good, long life filled with youthful mischief, lots of fun and laughter, loads of fun with family and friends who visited the Bassett farm house and attended the Martinsville races, and in his recent years, he was filled with sage advice for later generations. In memory of Jim, raise a toast with your morning cup of coffee or a sip of bourbon in the evening as you wind down your day. He would also advise you to drink lots of water, something he resisted until old age.The family would like to thank Dr. George Gehrken, Urologist, and Dr. Amar Parikh, Nephrologist both of whom have provided excellent care in recent years. Thanks and appreciation are also extended to the caring medical team at Roanoke’s Carillion Cardiac CCU and the care team at Adoration Home Health in Martinsville.For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, please consider planting a tree in Jim’s honor or contributing in his memory to the SPCA of Martinsville and Henry County, VA, the Rocky Mount Virginia Volunteer Fire Department, or Martinsville Public Safety Police and Fire.

James Cleveland Hurley

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