Dedicated to the memory of Edward Hurley

This site is a tribute to Edward Hurley. He is much loved and will always be remembered.

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This is our Grandpa: Amazing, Fabulous, Marvelous, and Encouraging. Grandpa was always the one who made us laugh and the first to laugh at our jokes… even if they were not that funny! Grandpa never gave up! Once he started something he did not stop! I remember him doing something as simple as making tea for everyone, or going grocery shopping for Cindy. Grandpa took the best care of Cindy, always has and, in his own way, always will. Always loving… he was always there for all of us. What we are really trying to say is that Grandpa is the most selfless person to walk this Earth. He would give his last for every single person listening to this today. We will never forget that! We love you Grandpa, always have, and always will. Alicia, Ethan and Aston And as Grandpa always liked to say: “Ah, that’s better!”
matthew
1st May 2020
A Eulogy to Dad I am a lucky person! Having Ted Hurley as my Dad and to have stood beside him for almost 50 years watching and learning how to be the best kind of man from the 'Master' was a privilege! Dad had time for everyone. He was no pushover mind you. He once chased down a couple of guys to the top of a multistory car park to reclaim his hat they'd stolen after it blew off through the car sunroof. I remember on another occasion when I was very young at Roath Park and a couple of kids fired a catapult at me - Dad found some of the rugby form of his youth and chased them down and eventually disposed of the 'weapon' - these events stood as great examples of having the clarity and conviction to do the right thing. He rarely if ever lost his temper but when he looked at you with his contemplative and intelligent eyes you knew what he was thinking. Dad, born in Penarth and brought up by his mother and grandmother in Canton from an early age, was self-made and self-reliant. He enjoyed success at Canton high school but turned down the chance at further education to support his Mum. His Dad's passing when he was just 3 meant that he had to grow up quickly. Dad had a remarkable recollection of his childhood, remembering seeing off his Dad to work every morning - down a road, through an alley and over the railway tracks. He recalled stories of his family's 'adopted' stray cat in Canton that he would feed regularly or of 'Billy' the seal who lived in Victoria Park. Rich and formative experiences all of them. During the war years in his early teens he learnt about resilience and determination and developed a sense of balance, calmness and 'normality' as he dealt with such things as an unexploded incendiary bomb wedged in the roof of his family home or the realization that some friends wouldn't be coming to school the next day...or any day. Not much could be thrown at Dad that he could not handle in the thoughtful and canny manner developed in his younger years. Dad taught me to step back and look at a situation - don't act on impulse - consider the alternatives and consequences. He would always say that life is full of opportunities, you just have to see them. Dad put to practice this judgement and determination when he met a 17 year old girl at a Sophia Gardens dance (those were the days! - big bands and dance halls!). The girl in question was whisked off her feet that night and her life was to be changed forever. Dad, the army veteran of national service years in Egypt, made his move on my Mum that evening. When he arrived home later the same night, he told his Mum that he'd met the girl he was going to marry. For the next couple of years Dad walked, bused and occasionally rode his BSA Golden Flash between Canton and Roath. Over the next 65 years one of the greatest love stories of all time began to unfold. Madly in love they married 2 years later in 1956 and for over 63 years they have shared everything together. My Dad's poems and rhymes in letters and cards to my Mum, his 'Cindy', are legendary. The love story they have shared and will continue is extraordinary. My sisters and I are in awe of their union. My sisters and I are also humbled by Mum's strength over the last few years and her ability to focus on the amazing life they have spent together. They built a hair salon business which is still remembered by those whose mothers and grandmothers visited. Dad was so confident and secure in himself that he supported Mum's modeling career - always encouraging. He did not have self-doubt or self-pity. However, he really could not believe how lucky he was - creating a family and being loved unconditionally. I have witnessed that family and friends, laughter and fun are the route to a long and happy life. The dinner parties Dad hosted with Mum were legendary. As children we were never hidden away; never told to be seen but not heard and our opinions counted. Dad was the kind of man to have at your side - steadfast, always to be counted on and always believing in you. Dad was clever, using his skills to spot career and business opportunities, providing a wonderful life for my Mum, my sisters and me. Our holidays were the best, taking in Spain and later France. From losing luggage in Majorca, to running through violent thunder storms in Paris with my sisters trying to duck down and be the lowest likely point for lightening to strike, to eating huge salad rolls on the beach in Cannes with the contents falling everywhere, to maybe the funniest image I have of Dad skipping across the beach in his white socks - no shoes. You see he had very ticklish feet and being ever practical, would wear the socks, pulled up mid calf, to protect his feet against the sand - very cool was Dad!! I have been very lucky to share with Dad the same interests. This started about the time I was old enough for him to take me to see Cardiff RFC play at the 'Arms Park'. Not one to usually lose control with expressions of excitement he once lifted me so high, following a Terry Holmes try, that he put a dent in a steel girder with my head! It was great to see his excitement and luckily, I've developed the same passion - yes, rugby nuts we are! Mum was very understanding letting us go to all the home games but that did not come for free - it was always proceeded by a morning stroll through M&S. Family was everything to Dad - we were his world. Not having a father himself Dad made up for it with his close relationship with my sisters and me. He would encourage my sisters to play the piano, ballet dance or pursue their dreams in further education or modeling. He picked us up from school, came to school performances and never missed one of my rugby matches. He was super proud of us as he was of his grandchildren and great granddaughter later in life. I do not know how but he didn't miss anything. We spent many hours on the golf course together - what a great sport to learn life lessons from your Dad. One of those came from a story he would tell about playing in a club tournament and thinking he was better than his opponent only to watch and learn from the guy who turned out to be better at chipping than Dad. Dad took note, practiced, and improved his scores becoming a single handicap golfer - he was never too old to learn something new. I am so thankful that Dad came to the USA with Mum on many occasions. During one of these trips we played 'Doral' in Miami and Dad birdied the 18th by chipping in, watched by a local crowd. He wasn't one to get carried away, but this story was repeated once or twice. It was also the last time we played golf together before his legs started to fail him. Dad was never down; he always had a welcoming smile and a hug and an excitement for what we were about to do next. Dad was handy at cricket too, a mean spin-bowler - losing some teeth to this game when just 21. Dad could get along with all types of people, of all ages. He has always been here for all of us listening and watching today - with Mum from age 17, Colin from age 5, friends from his 20's and of course all of his off-spring. We are who we are largely because of Dad. Flowers also seemed to respond to Dad - he definitely had 'green' fingers as you'll all likely recall the blooms in the garden at #77. It still looks beautiful today. He would also play the keyboard beautifully, often recreating hit musical scores on his prized organ by ear, without sheet music. Totally adored by Mum, my sisters, his in-laws, his grandchildren & great granddaughter; to say that we love Dad is an understatement and to say that we will miss him is an even bigger understatement. You will forever be with us Dad - your presence remains strong. We will live our lives based greatly on the lessons you have taught us all. You met your struggles over the last few years as you have met all the adversity in your life - with dignity, no complaints, and a laser focus on being here for the rest of us. Unselfish to the end and a shining example to us all of the ultimate family man, friend and gentlemen. I cannot thank my uncle enough for reading this eulogy in my absence - no easy task. Dad, you wisely told me to postpone my travel back to the UK with the family several weeks ago and, as tough a decision as that was for us all, you were right - I listened, I'm always listening. I will love you forever Dad, your Son, Matthew.
matthew
1st May 2020
Thank you for setting up this memorial to Edward. We hope that you find it a positive experience developing the site and that it becomes a place of comfort and inspiration for you to visit whenever you want or need to.
Sent by Green Willow Funerals on 27/04/2020
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