Portsmouth Man, World War II Veteran Dies at 95

Edward R. Hurley, 95, of Portsmouth, died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013 at home. 

Born at his home in Woonsocket to Irish immigrants on Aug. 15, 1918, he was the son of the late John J. Hurley and Susan (McCabe) Hurley.

He graduated from high school, Class of 1935, at the age of 16 and enrolled in The Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

He married Arlene O’Neill, of Blackstone, MA, who was his wife for 65 years and who preceded him in death at the age of 85.

During World War II, he served aboard the Destroyer USS Hanson in the Pacific Theater, and worked for the Naval Underwater Systems Center, where he was the head of the Fleet Services Department, retiring in 1973.

He attended Rhode Island College, where he received a master’s degree in history, and was a member of the PHI ALPHA THETA Honor Society in History.

He was also a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, a member of the Newport Museum of Irish History, a member of the Christopher Rooney Council of the Knights of Columbus, a former lector at St. Barnabas Church, and a member of the American Legion in Portsmouth, and the Multi-Purpose Center in Portsmouth.

During the 1950s and 60s, he was an umpire and manager in the Portsmouth Little League, and was a longtime fan of the Boston Red Sox.

His funeral will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 9 a.m. from the Connor's Funeral Home, with a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. 

Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park, Howland Avenue, Middletown.

To view his full obituary, click here.