NBYC - sad news re Judge Mike Hurley

Judge Michael Hurley passed away late last week. Mike owned Atlantic #96 and raced with his sons Mike and Peter in years past. His obituary and funeral arrangements from the New London Day are below.

D. Michael Hurley

East Lyme - The Honorable Judge D. Michael Hurley, 81, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007, at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London.

He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 18, 1926, to the late Dennis M. and Rose (Warburton) Hurley Sr.

Judge Hurley was educated in New York; he studied at Catholic University, earned his bachelor of arts degree at Manhattan College and his LLB from the New York School of Law; he also taught Latin and coached hockey at LaSalle Academy in Providence.

He was married to the late Dorothy Cole for 50 years, and together they raised three sons.

While living in New York City, he worked for American Airlines as a contract administrator where he was involved with the first commercial 707 jet production. In 1961 after Judge Hurley moved his family to Simsbury, he worked as a claim's adjuster and claim's manager for Allstate and Nationwide Insurance Companies. He joined the firm of Ricassi, Davis and Linnon, where he was a trial attorney for almost ten years until he was appointed Assistant State's Attorney for New London County in 1975, and moved to Niantic. In 1982 he was appointed Superior Court Judge and most recently served as Senior Judge Referee.

Judge Hurley was a member of the board of the Pond Cliff Condo Association. While living in Simsbury he was very active in performing and directing community theater; he was a founder of the Simsbury Theater Guild and the Simsbury Summer Theater for Youth, directing productions for both groups and acting in numerous productions of other community theater groups in the Hartford and New London area. He was very active in sports throughout his life, he enjoyed hockey, skiing, tennis, swimming, sailing, football, and basketball, but in his later years his passion was for the game of golf. He was an active member of the New London Country Club and Niantic Bay Yacht Club.

Judge Hurley was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who treasured his time playing and traveling with his grandchildren; he will be greatly missed. His love for his family was ever increasing; on Sept. 25, 2005, he married his best friend, Elizabeth Hall and instantly became a part of her loving family.

Judge Hurley is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth Hall-Hurley of Niantic; sons, David and Lisa Hurley of Ellington, Michael J. and Shirley Hurley of Ledyard, Peter J. and Clara Hurley of Granby; stepsons, Steven Pemberton of Norwich, Alan Pemberton of Middletown; stepdaughters, Jean Smith, Brenda Stone, and Judith Bell, all of Norwich; his sister, Eileen; granddaughter, Annalise; grandsons, Steven, Evan, Benjamin, and Mathew; and 23 step-grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, at the Church & Allen Funeral Home, 136 Sachem St., Norwich. An 11 a.m. funeral home service will be on Wednesday, Nov. 21, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Norwich.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Judge Hurley's name can be made to Liz's non-profit organization, Kid's Christmas, 258 Baltic St., Norwich CT 06360.