Rev. John J. Hurley O.S.F.S.

1940 - 2016

Rev. John J. Hurley, O.S.F.S.

Rev. John J. Hurley, O.S.F.S., a professed Oblate of St. Francis de Sales for 56 years, died on Monday, July 25, 2016.

Father Hurley, son of the late John and Pauline Buckley Hurley, was born in 1940 in Wilmington, DE. He attended Christ Our King School, Wilmington, graduated from Salesianum School in 1958, and attended LaSalle College, Philadelphia, PA. In 1959, he entered the Oblate Novitiate, made his first profession of vows in 1960, and earned a bachelor of arts in history from Niagara University and a master of arts in political science from Villanova University. He completed his studies for the priesthood at DeSales Hall School of Theology, Hyattsville, MD, and ordained to the priesthood on October 26, 1968, at the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia, by the Most Rev. John B. Miner, OSFS, Bishop of Keimoes-Uppington, South Africa.

Father Hurley taught social studies at Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia; Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria, VA; and Father Lopez High School, Daytona Beach, FL. For five years, he served as a missionary in the Oblate Missions in South Africa, becoming the associate mission procurator for the American Provinces of the Oblates in 1986, and serving as their peace and justice advisor. He assumed the position of Mission Procurator in 1993.

"Father Hurley was a man committed to Catholic social teaching with a deep devotion," Rev. James J. Greenfield, O.S.F.S., Oblate provincial said. "From his ministry as a teacher, missionary, Father Hurley sought to ensure that the dignity of all people was both honored and advanced. As a national leader in the Model United Nations program, he ensured that young people learned the essential value of solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the world."

Father introduced the Model United Nations program to many school systems in the East. He coached many Model U.N. National Championship Teams: Archbishop Wood, Northeast Catholic, and Father Judge High schools, Philadelphia; Salesianum School and Padua Academy, Wilmington; Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria; and Father Lopez High School, Daytona Beach. Father was Director of Delaware Model United Nations (DELMUN).

In addition to his Oblate religious community, Father is survived by his sister-in-law, Leslie, wife of his late brother, Dan, and their daughter, Alexis Banker.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Our Lady of Light Chapel, 1120 Blue Ball Rd., Elkton, MD 21921. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Interment Oblate Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oblate Development Fund, 2200 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806.