Thinking of my wonderful brother Dennis from his sister Mary Lou.  I remember so many times growing up in Chicago as Dennis’ older sister.  Our family took several trips to Montana to visit our father’s brother Barney and his family.  In our Northside neighborhood John Hartigan became Dennis’ best friend and remained so throughout his life.  

I was in my third year of the nursing program at Loyola in 1962 when the Cuban missile crisis began.  Dennis was stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany at the time and we were worried that his unit could be activated.  We exchanged many letters and despite the uncertain times, Dennis really enjoyed his time in Germany.  

My sister Gail and I returned to Chicago from San Francisco for his beautiful wedding to wonderful wife Patrica.  We has such a great time meeting Patrica’s family and celebrating after the wedding at the Bohemian Club.  Dennis had previously worked there and the whole staff knew and loved Dennis so well.  

Dennis worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for many years.  He was beloved by everyone on his route, especially the children.  

When our youngest daughter Kathleen was born, Dennis came out to our home in California  so he could be her Godfather when she was baptized on March 17th,1980.

Dennis was a loyal Chicago sports fan, especially when it came to the Chicago Cubs and the Chicago Bears.  I know how ecstatic he was in 2016 to see the Cubs win the World Series after many years of coming close to clinching the title.  

I know in the last few years he had painful arthritis in his back and hip which is so hard to live with and get around.  

Dennis had the biggest heart.  He was always so kind, thoughtful and genius to all of us, especially to my daughters Jennifer and Kathleen.  Dennis always ended every visit or phone call with “I love you.” We hope that he knows how much we love him too.  

Thinking of Dennis From his Sister Gail
I remember Dennis as a youngster with his favorite stuffed animal dog he named Jimmy 
and a little parakeet bird he called Mickey.
He wrote wonderful letters to me when he was stationed in the US army  base near Hanua ,Germany and we corresponded while  he was in the Army. I remember him really liking Elvis and of course 
the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears teams.  Dennis and Pat visited us in San Rafael over the holidays a few months after my son Michael was born in 1985. They brought gifts to Baby Michael  & a Chicago Bears baby outfit. The season of the Chicago Bears Super Bowl  Shuffle.
Great memories of Pat and Dennis visiting myself and Bill and Michael when we lived in London. 
We all traveled together to the Emerald Isle in the Spring of 1992. We flew to  Dublin and then drove to the West of Ireland  to visit Cork where Cornelius Hurley our Dad was born and to Galway where our Mother Mary Keane Hurley was born. Fond memories of that wonderful trip.
I have fond memories of my brother Dennis over the years, his kindness to others,
 strong and tall with a wonderful smile- the face of Ireland.  
Dear Denny,  I will miss you and I have precious memories of your kind and beautiful life. Those memories will always be with me. I am sending warm and caring thoughts to all who knew and loved Dennis especially to Pat who was the Angel who was always  by his side.


My dearest Uncle, you will always be my Santa Clause! I will forever remember your smile, morning runs to get me breakfast, pet rabbits, Rainbow ice cream, vacation memories, much laughter, and dressing up for Christmas as Santa Clause in Chicago when I was little. You have always made me feel like the most important person in the room. In later years, you made my kids also feel like the most important people in your life! 
We will always remember you with love and fond memories, “Uncle Grandpa”!

Rest in true peace cousin Dennis - you have touched lives in many ways.  I still have the  train you gave me as a child.  It will be circling a Christmas tree here in my home this year.  Thank you for your service to our country.  Thank you for taking time to play ball with a kid who really needed that connection in his youth.  Thank you for taking me to my first mass.  I will miss you Dennis - we will all miss you!

OBITUARY

Dennis F. Hurley

August 21, 1942 – December 9, 2020

Andrew J. McGann & Son Funeral Home

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