Nelson Hurt Jr.

Robert Nelson Hurt Jr., 74, of Chatham, NJ, passed away on January 17th, 2026. Nelson was born on February 21, 1951 in Virginia to Robert Nelson Hurt and Olive Fisher Cooper Hurt. His parents moved to Chatham later that year when his father was transferred to the New York City office of American Electric Power. Nelson attended Chatham Borough High School, where he was on the soccer team and played trombone in the orchestra and marching band, graduating in 1969. During this time, Nelson - whose high school nickname was "Jonah" - worked and delivered for Main Drug on Main Street in Chatham. His high school classmates remained basketball teammates at Milton Avenue School's open gym nights and lifelong friends.
Nelson graduated from Roanoke College with a degree in business in 1973. He was a proud member of his fraternity, where he was nicknamed "Funky" because he was the life of the party and for his enthusiastic, funky dancing style.
Three days after college graduation, he started his career at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, US Treasury Department. Nelson subsequently worked with the Irving Trust Company for ten years as a Vice President in the leveraged buyout and middle market areas. He rejoined the OCC in 1989 as a National Bank Examiner in the Large Bank Division, assessing the information technology risk management practices in large and complex national banks. He retired from the OCC in 2018 after 35 years of Government service.
Nelson met his wife, Kathleen, when they were both working at the Irving Trust Company. They were married in 1985. Nelson was over the moon with happiness at the birth of their children, Katie and Robert, in 1992. Being a father and making memories big and small with his family were the greatest joys of his life.
He also loved being a dog dad to Odie, a Seeing Eye puppy-in-training, and later to family dogs Minko and Molly.
He became an enthusiastic supporter of Chatham Track and Field through his children's participation on their high school team, cheering not just for Katie and Robert but for the entire group - often with a box of Munchkins for hungry runners. Nelson's consistent attendance at track meets, passion for the sport, and warm, supportive nature led him to be a well-known presence within the track community state-wide. He developed friendships with many coaches, officials, and athletes beyond the Chatham team, including some who have gone on to become successful professional athletes.
After retirement, Nelson was thrilled to have more time to pursue his passions for golf, crossword puzzles, and daily naps. Ever an extrovert and always eager to lend a helping hand, he also became a regular volunteer at the Chatham United Methodist Church Food Pantry, where he cherished the opportunity to connect with other residents of his beloved hometown.
He will be remembered as an avid New York Giants and Bruce Springsteen fan, a plain food and hot dog enthusiast, and as one of many "#1 Son-in-Law"s in his family. His family and friends adored him as a warm, thoughtful, and generous presence, as well as a gregarious, fun-loving jokester who brought smiles and laughter to everyone in his life.
Nelson is survived by his wife Kathleen (Franetovich) Hurt, son Robert C. Hurt of Cambridge, MA, and daughter Kathleen F. Hurt (Katie) of New York, NY. Nelson is also survived by his large extended family: mother-in-law Kathleen (Katie) Franetovich and Wendel Fritz (Bel Air, MD); sisters- and brothers-in-law Margaret Franetovich (Bel Air, MD), Joan and Kim DeSoto (Bel Air, MD), Ann Dellarco (Bel Air, MD), Rose Mary and Tom Castellone (Morristown, NJ), Peter and Heidi Franetovich (Atlanta, GA), Robert Franetovich (Annapolis, MD), and Monique Hamilius (Luxembourg); nieces Danielle Donaldson (Reston, VA) and Andrea Cutler (Fredericksburg, VA), nephew Darin Hurt-Ritenburg (Inwood, WV), and many, many more nieces, nephews, and their children.
Nelson was preceded in death by his father, Robert, and mother, Olive, sister Ama Cooper, father-in-law Florio N. Franetovich, brothers-in-law John (Jack) Franetovich and Lewis (Buck) Dellarco, and nephew Eric Haas.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Wm. A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St. Chatham NJ, with a Prayer Service at 4 pm.
The services in Maryland are:
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, January 28, at 11 am at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 141 North Hickory Ave. Bel Air, MD. Interment will follow at Bel Air Memorial Gardens, Bel Air, MD. Arrangements in Maryland are being handled by McComas Funeral Home, 1317 Cokesbury Rd. Albington, MD.
Gifts in Nelson's memory can be made to the Community Food Distribution Program at Chatham United Methodist Church by , or they can be mailed to 460 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928.