William Patrick Hurley

1965 - 2021

William “Bill” Patrick Hurley, 56, of Dover, NH, passed away on August 11, 2021 after a valiant battle with MDS AML, with which he was diagnosed in July of 2019. Bill underwent a bone marrow transplant in October of 2019. His anticipated recovery was complicated by the effects of GVHD followed by critical illness this April which resulted in lengthy hospital stays prior to his passing. 

Bill was born in Oak Park, Illinois on May 7, 1965 to John F. “Frank” Hurley and Margaret “Peggy” Hurley. Bill was a late addition to the family who was everyone’s favorite. He attended St. Angela’s grammar school and Fenwick High School. Bill went on to obtain his Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern Illinois University and his MBA from DePaul University.

Bill’s first job after graduating college was with Romano Brothers Beverage Company. After a relatively short time, Bill realized that he would need further education to get ahead in his career. He went back to school and got his MBA. His next job was with Topco Associates in the Chicago suburbs. Bill then went back into the liquor industry with Beam Global for almost 17 years, initially in Illinois, then promoted to New England and Washington state.

When a new company was formed to market RumChata, Bill was happy to go to work for Agave Loco LLC with several of his former co-workers, his “A team”. Bill was passionate about his career and was well known in his field. He knew his business and enjoyed working with people. Both his bosses and his employees loved working with Bill due to his kindness and great sense of humor.

Bill was introduced to his wife, Kathleen “Kate” Hurley, by his new boss shortly after Bill relocated from Chicago to Portsmouth, NH in 1999. Bill and Kate married in 2002 and have three children: Margaret “Maggie”, Liam and Erin. Family was incredibly important to Bill. He was a dedicated husband and father who loved to cook “from scratch” meals for the family and try new recipes. Bill was an avid fan of his children’s activities, including Seacoast Volleyball, Dover HS sports and everything he could watch, especially via livestream, at St. Mary Academy. Bill loved the family bulldog, Boomer, who was by his side 24/7 and now misses him terribly.

Bill cherished all things Irish and traveled many times to his family’s homeland. He enjoyed making traditional Irish breakfasts for the family. Bill told stories of his exploits in his youth that had people laughing so hard they cried. He embraced his Chicago roots and often made Chicago favorites including Italian beef sandwiches with giardiniera. He was also known to sneak sausage into many a meal. He was also a hilarious prankster and would dress up as an elf at Christmas and various disguises on Halloween, which was his favorite holiday, followed closely by Cinco de Mayo. Bill was known by many as their favorite friend. He was well known for starting his day with the daily paper crossword puzzle, a hobby he shared with his late mother-in-law, Maggi Krayer. 

Bill was predeceased by his brother, John F. Hurley, Jr. and is survived by his sister, Nora Hurley Marsh and brother-in-law, Weston Marsh, niece, Kimberly (James Allee) Marsh, nephew, James (Clare) Marsh, nephew, Daniel (Stephanie Wallace) Marsh, niece, Jaclynn Hurley, nephew, John F. (Maddi Vander Loop) Hurley, III and great-nephews, Andy Marsh and Calvin Hurley.

Visitation will be held at Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave, Dover on Thursday, August 26, 2021, from 4-7PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Parish of the Assumption St. Mary Church, 25 Third Street, Dover on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 11AM (livestream available at www.assumptiondovernh.org). A celebration of Bill’s life will be also held in Chicago in October. Plans are being made and details will be available soon. 

In lieu of flowers memorials in his name may be made to:

        Dana-Farber Cancer Institute                                            Best Buddies (Team Marlowe)

        450 Brookline Avenue                                                       529 Main St.

        Boston, MA 02215                                                             Boston, MA 02129

        www.danafarber.jimmyfund.org                                         www.bestbuddies.org/donate