David Chase Hurst

David Chase Hurst, 85, of Harwichport, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2026. He was born on October 24, 1940, at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the beloved son of the late Grace Louise and William Franklin Hurst.

In 1949, David moved with his parents and his younger brother Peter to Harwichport, where the rhythms of Cape Cod life would shape him for the rest of his days. He attended Harwich High School, went on to Bridgewater State University, and ultimately earned his degree in Accounting from Northeastern University.

His professional life began at Boit Dalton and Church Insurance, which later became Frank B. Hall Insurance. David went on to serve a distinguished career with the Internal Revenue Service, from which he retired in 2016. Long before those chapters, however, the Cape left its mark on a younger David: he spent his formative years working at Thompson's Clam Bar, the Orleans Inn, and the storied Chuck Wagon — establishments woven into the fabric of Cape Cod lore. He cherished the fables and colorful characters that came with those years, and he could spin those stories with relish well into old age.

David loved his family and friends above all else. He was a lifelong, devoted Boston Red Sox fan — a devotion shared, naturally, by the entire family. He took to the golf course and the tennis court with equal enthusiasm, and he was seldom without a good book in hand. Every Sunday morning found him faithful to the New York Times working through its crossword puzzles with quiet determination — a ritual he kept up until shortly before his passing.

There was no place David would rather be than the beach. Any beach would do, but Wells Beach and Ogunquit, both in Maine, held a particular magic for him. He would pack his car with a beach chair and simply go. For him, it was the fullest expression of contentment.

David gave generously of his time as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, where he made a lasting impression on the young men he guided. It was a role that suited him perfectly: patient, encouraging, and always ready with a story or a well-timed joke.

And the jokes — there were always jokes. David was a man who loved to make people laugh and never passed up the chance to share a good one with anyone willing to listen. Among his most celebrated pronouncements was his steadfast position on yard work: “I would rather eat glass than mow the lawn at 24 Gorham Rd.” His family will hear that line — and smile at it — for the rest of their lives.

He is survived by:

Sons: Brian D. Hurst and his wife Sarah, of Denver, Colorado; and Timothy B. Hurst, of Dubai.

Siblings: Peter W. Hurst; Jeffrey and Kristin Hurst; Leslie Hurst; and the late Myles Coates.

Nephews: Justin Hurst, Thomas Hurst, Caleb Finlayson, and Billy Finlayson.

Great-Nieces and Great-Nephews: Catherine Coates, Christine Coates, Myles Coates, and Vivien Mae Finlayson.

Many beloved cousins.

Visitation will be held in the Doane, Beal, & Ames Funeral Home, 260 Main St. (Rt. 28), West Harwich on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 10:30-11:00 AM. A brief prayer service will be held at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, West Harwich.