Remembering Fr. Dan Hurley

Fr. Dan Hurley passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2010.

Please leave your thoughts, prayers, condolences and reflections about Hurls here on the Mountain blog.

Comments

[Anonymous]

We had the privilege of meeting Father Dan (Hurls) when our Daughter Michelle (class of '98) attended St. Bonaventure and at the Mountain. He was a very special person and a great insperation to all who knew him. Our condolences to the Bonaventure family for the loss of a great man, he will be sorely missed. Sincerely and Gods blessings.

[Scott VanDerveer, '97]

I send my love and my condolences to the Mt. Irenaeus Family.

Hurles co-led the Franciscan Vocation Group in the 90s while I was a student at Bonas. He modeled for everyone a priesthood of loving service and companioning to the People of God. We all treasure everything he taught us and his wonderful little book on his vocation: "Here I Am, Lord."

He is one of the major reasons that I am in the seminary now. I hope that I will have the humility and grace to be a priest who follows in Fr. Dan's gentle, loving and holy path.

Pray for us, Hurles.
We love you and we will miss you.

[Anonymous]

I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to the Friars at Mt. Irenaeus and all the Friars of the Holy Name Province...I was blessed to meet Fr. Dan while on retreat up at the Mount and he left a beautiful impression of the Lord upon me...A Lover of the Lord and a Lover of Life! He certainly witnessed the Franciscan charism. May he be in the Loving Arms of the Lord.

- Fr. Jonathan St.Andre, T.O.R.

[Anonymous]

All those whose paths crossed with Fr. Dan's path are the better for that! Peace.

Nancy Casey

[Anonymous]

Fr. Dan was everyone's friend, and I know that his kind of friendship is never-ending. Hurls, please put in a good word in Heaven for us while we're missing you here on Earth.
Peace,
Jennifer Lindow Eskin ('98)

[Jim Goebelbecker]

I loved Dan's quiet nature, his sense of humor, his smile, laugh, thoughtful and insprirational words...I loved Dan and will miss him now that he has journeyed to a place filled with Gods' peace and Francis' love.

Jim Goebelbecker ('88)

[Anonymous]

Our condolences go out to the Mountain community. Fr. Dan was truly a blessing to all who crossed his path. We are honored to have spent one very special weekend in his presence.

Alberta & Joe

[Anonymous]

Our condolences go out to the Mountain community. Fr. Dan was truly a blessing to all who crossed his path. We are honored to have spent one very special weekend in his presence.

Alberta & Joe

[Anonymous]

We were blessed to be able to be present at the celebration of Hurl's life, at the wake service, liturgy and burial. And what a celebration it was! Although tinged with sadness, it was so clear that everyone had such positive feelings for this humble, gentle and learned friar. He certainly exemplified the life of Francis and all of us were better for having known him. The twinkle in his eye and his blueberry pies will be long remembered!

May he rest in peace.

Mary & Jerry(62')

[Anonymous]

Rest in peace Fr. Dan. I met Fr. Dan six years ago and he has enriched my life with his love and kind words. Read my tribute to him on my website.
http://www.myhereandhereafter.com
Jim, Orchard Park, NY

[Anonymous]

To the Mountain Community

Fr Dan Hurley touched our lives in so many ways.

He was a gentle Grand Father to us with a quick smile and a gentle laugh. One memory that is dear was when we had my 93 year old mom at the mount. Seeing Fr Dan and her sitting in front of the picture window overlooking the garden. We do not know the conversation but my Mom came off the mountain with peace and joy that day, as we all have after being with him.

We will miss him and share in the sadness of his passing as well as rejoice in Fr Dan's resurection in our Lord.

Sincerly
Peter and Bonnie Ralyea
Orchard Park NY

[Anonymous]

One of my favorite memories of Fr. Dan was brought to mind as I read the comment previous to this one and it points out the gift Fr. Dan had to make everyone comfortable in his presence. The entry above talks about wonderful memories formed for a 93 year old woman. My memory is of Fr. Dan "babysitting" for my 5 year old daughter while I was at a Mountain trustees' meeting. They had a wonderful time reading stories together and preparing lunch for all of us and she will always have special memories of him.

The last time I saw him was on New Years Day and I was struck by his perseverance and strength through his loss of sight and hearing. I remember being amazed at how he was able to follow along with his large magnifying glass during prayer and continue to say every word of the reading! I prayed that I may have his strength and drive if/when I face adversity in my life. He was a role model in so many ways for all of us. Although he often remained quiet in the Chapel, when he spoke, his words of wisdom and beauty taught me so much about God's love for all of us.

My condolences to all his brothers at the Mountain as you mourn the loss of a dear friend and gentle soul.

In peace,
Sue Plukas Besecker ('81)

[Anonymous]

Father Dan's lesson to me is to always maintain the spirit of youth. I graduated in 1974 and. I saw him many times over the years and I think we would all agree, he never seemed to age at all. If anything was bothering him, he never let on, just always seemed interested in what was going on in my life. His enthusiasm to see me, his cute little smile and the twinkle in his eye will immortalize him in my memories of Bona's. I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven. Love you, Father Dan.
Jeanie Day Hutnick '74