Thomas Sidley Hurley

Thomas "Tom" Sidley Hurley, Jr. of Walpole, Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2013 after a courageous battle against bone cancer. He was 83. He served in the National Guard as a Sergeant in 1950.

For decades he was a welcomed and common sight at nearly every road race throughout New England as a writer and/or sportswriter for the likes of "New England Runner" and "Boston Running News" magazines and "The Walpole Times," "The Daily Transcript," and the "Norfolk County Free Press" newspapers. His uncanny ability to recognize talent was matched by his unique comical delivery and keen wit and wisdom with the pen. Tom at times was outspoken, but possessed a Celtic sense of humor. Hi multi part histories of local sports and his regular sports columns a'" Sports Slants, Walpole Sports Beat a'" were must reads not only for their inherent historical value but also for his many turns of phrase.

While admittedly never a runner, the bearded "Irish Tom," as he was known with affection, is forever associated with athletics. He coached ice hockey at Roslindale High School. After he moved to Walpole, he coached in the Pre-Pop Warner days of the Walpole Boys Football League, where his team won five championship titles between 1961 and 1969, he also coached little league, basketball, and baseball. He also officiated baseball, basketball, and football games. And for The Sports Museum of New England when Walpole was highlighted, he contributed several videotaped interviews to its "Walpole: A Sports History" exhibit.

Born in West Roxbury, he graduated from Boston College High School in 1946 and Boston College in 1950. He was reportedly the school's first third-generation grad, as his grandfather, Thomas "T.J." Hurley, graduated in 1885 and wrote BC's fight song, among other music, and helped select its maroon and gold colors; his father, Thomas S. Hurly, Sr. graduated in 1918. He also received his master's degree at Boston Teachers College.

He was an electronic technician, sales promotion manager, technical writer, advertising and merchandising manager, and district sales manager for such businesses as Raytheon Company's microwave and power tube division, Columbia Broadcasting System's electronic semiconductor division, Horizon House Publishing Company, and "Automatic Control" magazine.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Olga (Stoskus), his three children, Thomas M. Hurley, Donna Summers, and Michael Hurley, his grandchildren, Capt. Derrek Summers, Brandy and husband Scott Moore, SSgt. Robert Summers and wife Samantha, his great grandchildren, Annalise Summers, Azure and McKinley Summers, and Austin James Moore, and his sister in law Joanna Stoskus.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Saint Mary's Church 176 Washington Street E. Walpole on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 9:00 AM. Visiting hours are Sunday, April 14, 2013 from 2-5 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be made to: Saint Mary's Parish Scholarship Fund 176 Washington Street E. Walpole, MA 02032.