Edward Hurley

Edward F. Hurley

1921 - 2010 BRATTLEBORO, VT Edward Francis Hurley, 88, of Brattleboro died peacefully Wednesday, May 19, 2010, at the Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 1, 1921, son of John Francis and Mary Ellen Kiely Hurley. Ed moved to Northfield, Mass., in infancy, where he attended schools, graduating from Northfield High School in the Class of 1939. He enjoyed sports and played baseball all four years on the varsity. He attended and graduated from Bay Path Jr. College in 1941. He then entered World War II in 1942 as an officer in the Coast Guard, where he served aboard the Troopship USS Wakefield AP21, transporting troops to England, France, Italy and Africa. The return trips concerned German prisoners and American wounded, also Marines to China as occupation forces. He was discharged April 15, 1946.

He graduated from New England College of Mortuary Science in 1949 and was affiliated with funeral homes in the Greenfield Area. He became licensed in 1949 and went to work at the Hodgen Funeral Home, now Walker Funeral Home. He worked as a tradesman for several firms, later moving to Brattleboro and purchasing Ker Funeral Home on Putney Road. Subsequently, he effected a merger of Westerlund and Fleming Funeral Homes currently located on High St. He has continued active service until the time of his death.

He prided his success in business and was known for his compassion and understanding with families in very stressful times. He always wanted to be remembered in a humble way as one who was extremely generous to many families and to a host of charitable causes.

He married Sonja Lowe and they divorced in 1991. Edward met and married Jane Grass in 1996.

He was a charter member of Northfield Post 9874, VFW, and former commander, and was active in Town Government, a longtime member and past president of the Brattleboro Kiwanis Club, former chairman of the House Committee at BPOE 1499, member of American Legion Post 5, served as a town meeting member for 17 years, member and past chairman of the Brattleboro Housing Authority for 17 years, a member of and former chairman of the Board of Funeral Service for the State of Vermont for 18 years, past president of the Vermont Funeral Directors Association and member for 40 years. He served for nine years as a director of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and, to date, an active member of The Brattleboro Rotary Club since 1991.

He was a member of the Brattleboro Country Club as an active golfer and served on many committees. He loved sports, especially the Boston Red Sox and The New England Patriots, enjoyed attending BUHS sporting events as well as musical productions and plays.

A member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, he served as a Lector on the finance committee and an honorary member of the Brattleboro Fire Dept. for many years.

He founded and operated Ker Ambulance Service before Rescue, Inc. was formed and provided transportation until they secured ambulances in 1974. He was involved in some 11 thousand ambulance calls.

Edward Hurley loved people, working in funeral service, and his community. He was the personification of a generous person.

Edward Hurley leaves his wife, Jane Grass Hurley of Brattleboro, a twin brother, Thomas Hurley of Brattleboro and the Villages, Fla., two daughters, Peggy DeAngelis and her husband, Jack, Lindy Poling and her husband, Dr. Barkely Poling; sons, Dr. William H. Grass, Dr. Jeffrey A. Grass; grandsons, James Edward DeAngelis and his fiancée, Dana Gotfredson, Maxx T. Grass, Samm L. Grass; granddaughters, Christina M. Grass, Alexandra D. Grass, Ashley E. Poling; nieces, Marilyn Hurley and Ellen Hurley Toffri.

He was predeceased by a grandson, Nicholas G. Grass, a brother, John Hurley, a sister-in-law, Natalie G. Hurley.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A mass of Christian burial for Edward Hurley will be on Monday, May 24, 2010, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Northfield, MA. Calling hours will be on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church.

Arrangements are under the care of the KER WESTERLUND FUNERAL HOME 57 High St. Brattleboro, VT 05301 and kerwesterlund.com