Father of local woman, World War II pilot, lawyer
Benn Hurley (Courtesy photo)
Bernard Francis Hurley of Los Altos Hills, Calif., passed away peacefully in his home on Feb. 9, 2014, surrounded by his six children while praying the Rosary. He is now reunited with the love of his life, wife Teresa (Chisholm) Hurley, who predeceased Ben by three months. He would tell you that being married to Terry for 61 years was his greatest source of joy.
Ben was a loving husband, devoted father to six, “Da” and hero to his 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and uncle to many nieces and nephews. In fact, he was never happier than when he was attending a wedding or other celebration with the Hurley and Chisholm clans. Ben created an enduring legacy that will live on in his family’s heart.
Born in Charlestown, Mass., Feb. 19, 1922, to Mary and Jeremiah Hurley, he was the third of seven children. He graduated from Boston Latin High School, just as the nation was entering World War II. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps at the age of 19, becoming a flight instructor and flying B-17s for the 92nd Bomb Group of the “Mighty Eighth” Air Corp in the 407th Bombardment Squadron (H), stationed at RAF Podington, England. In addition to his 13 bombing missions over Nazi Germany and occupied territories, he helped to liberate POWs, and also flew postwar diplomatic missions. He reached the rank of captain and was awarded five medals of distinction.
After the war he attended Boston College and received his law degree. Upon graduation, he joined the FBI as an agent. After Ben and Terry were married in Boston in 1953, she joined him in New York City, and he began practicing admiralty law.
In 1960 Ben began a business career with Textron Corp. in Rhode Island and eventually with Xerox Corp. in New York City, holding various sales management positions in New York and California. During his over 25 years with the company he accepted five job transfers, eventually landing the family in Los Altos Hills, Calif., in 1970.
After retiring from Xerox Corp., Ben changed careers, finding his new passion in commercial real estate. He finally retired in December, 2012, at the age of 90. Although Ben and Terry traveled throughout the world, they especially looked forward to their many trips to Boston and annual trips to Cabo San Lucas and Palm Springs.
Ben is survived by his six children, Terry Symula (George) of Harvard; Bernard Hurley Jr. (fiancé, Camille Green) of Denver, Colo.; Ken Hurley (Ginny) of San Jose, Calif.; Betsy Komo (John) of Los Altos, Calif.; Nancy Fiegel (Don) of Pleasanton, Calif.; and Dan Hurley (Amy) of Littleton, Colo. Ben was extremely proud of his grandchildren Danielle, Matt, Michael, Tommy, Timmy, Lizzy, Madeline, Caroline, Jennifer, Andrew, KC, David, Katie, and by his two great grandchildren, Seth and Emma. Ben was predeceased by his siblings John, Catherine, Anna, Mary, Jerry, and Joseph, and by his grandchildren Teresa and Benjamin.
Ben’s life will be celebrated with a Rosary on Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. at St. Nicholas Church, Los Altos, Calif. A funeral Mass will be celebrated March 1, at 10 a.m. at St. William Church, Los Altos, Calif. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ben’s honor may be made to Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, 15 Green St., Charlestown, MA 02129. (www.bgcb.org)
