James Francis Hurst

James (Jim) Francis Hurst, 86, of Ocean View, Delaware, formerly of Princeton Junction, NJ, and beloved husband of Maureen (McClay) Hurst for 60 years, died peacefully with family at his side on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Born July 10, 1936 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jim was the son of Henry and Helen (McDonough) Hurst of Magnolia, NJ. Jim's wife and best friend, Maureen, predeceased him in November 2021.
Jim had four brothers, including older brother Joseph and younger brothers, Henry and Robert, all of whom predeceased Jim. The Hurst brothers spent their early years growing up on their family "farm" in Magnolia and spending time in Philadelphia – often to visit their grandmother's hair salon to laugh at the latest hairstyles. Jim spent many summers as a child and an adult with family at his grandmother's Victorian home in Cape May, NJ (where she also had a hair salon for her grandsons' amusement).
Aside from Maureen, Jim loved the game of basketball. Jim played varsity basketball at Camden Catholic High School. In his senior year, Jim enjoyed playing on the same team as his brother, Henry.
Jim graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1955, Brown Preparatory School of Philadelphia in 1956, and Lafayette College in 1960. At Lafayette, Jim was a member of the men's basketball team and the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. Jim was the first in his family to go to college, which was possible only through a basketball scholarship. A former coach said that "Jim has no weakness on the basketball floor" and his "biggest assets are his love of the game and desire to improve." Jim played four years of basketball at Lafayette, playing in the 1957 NCAA basketball tournament and becoming team captain for the 1959-60 season. Jim's college career included playing games at The Palestra in Philadelphia (the so-called "Cathedral of College Basketball") and write-ups in Sports Illustrated, which described Jim as a "fine ball handler."
In 1961, after graduating from college with a business degree and serving in the Army, Jim began a 34-year career at the F.W. Woolworth Company. Jim started as an assistant store manager at the local store in Haddon Heights, NJ. Jim worked his way up the corporate ladder to hold several executive retail buying positions at the company's headquarters in the Woolworth Building of New York City.
Jim and Maureen were loving and extremely proud parents of five children, Karen, Jim, Michael, Tom, and Paul. As Jim explained, "we had five kids in seven years until finally figuring out what was causing it." As a team player, Jim bucked the trend and fully supported Maureen's work outside the home as she pursued careers as a nurse and as an executive with Johnson & Johnson. When Maureen started working more hours, Jim took on more household chores. Using his experience with teams, however, he promptly recruited his children to take over most of the chores. As a Dad, Jim loved supporting his children in their various activities, including swimming, theater, basketball, music, and running. He also coached little league and PBA basketball teams.
Despite a long commute to New York City from Princeton Junction, Jim was home every night to share a cocktail with Maureen and to help prepare and share dinner with his family, often telling jokes and leading debates at the table. Jim continued playing basketball for most of his life, passing on his love of the game and competition to his children. Jim's basketball career abruptly ended when it became clear that he could no longer beat his sons in a pick-up game.
Jim was a life-time golfer, often playing golf with his brothers, Joseph and Henry. Jim retired to Bear Trap Dunes in Ocean View to be closer to golf and the beach. Jim continued playing golf with Maureen and friends and was recently voted captain of the 80 And Over Club by his weekly golfing buddies.
Jim enjoyed traveling the world with Maureen, visiting over 60 countries, and attending major events for their grandchildren. Jim loved getting together over the holidays with friends and family, including annual Christmas traditions with Henry's family and annual Camden Catholic parties. Jim looked forward to summer Outer Banks vacations with his children and grandchildren. After Jim's wife passed away in November 2021, Jim enjoyed playing golf and spending time with friends at Bear Trap Dunes, who provided him with tremendous love and support after the loss of his life-time partner.
Jim's survivors include daughter Karen Howell and husband Tom of Bethlehem, PA; son Jim and wife Susan of Chicago, IL; son Michael of Asbury Park, NJ; son Tom and wife Robin of Yardley, PA; son Paul and wife Melissa of Washington, DC; and two sisters-in-law Carole Hurst and Audrey Inglesby. Jim leaves behind 12 grandchildren, Christopher and wife Callie, Alexander and wife Maria, and Shannon Howell; Jack and Alice Hurst; Daly, Maclane, Noel and Jess Hurst; and Dylan, Luke, and Will Hurst.
Family and friends are invited to visit on February 13, 2023, at St Ann's Church, 691 Garfield Pkwy in Bethany Beach, DE at 10:30AM followed by Mass at 11:30AM. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven in Dagsboro, DE. Melson's Funeral Home, of Ocean View, is handling arrangements. Condolences are welcomed at https://www.melsonfuneralservices.com/obits. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in memory of Jim to the Beebe Medical Foundation, designating Cardiac & Stroke Care at https://www.beebehealthcare.org/memorial-gifts, or by mail, to the Foundation at 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, Delaware 19958.