William Joseph Hurley, Jr.

CHICOPEE- William Joseph Hurley Jr., 58, died July 18,2006 in Baystate Medical Center, Springfield. Born in Springfield on June 21,1948 he was the son of Dorothy (Dupont) Hurley of Merrimack, N.H. and the late William J. Hurley Sr. He was a life long resident of Chicopee and was a parishioner of St. Patrick's Church, where he had been an altar boy during his youth. He served his country during the Viet Nam War as a Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, 27th Brigade, 27th Infantry. For his courageous efforts he was issued many medals including 3 Bronze Stars with valor device. After returning from Viet Nam William joined the Chicopee Police Dept.  He served the city of Chicopee in the Patrol Division, The Detective Bureau, the Narcotics Bureau and the Regional Narcotics Unit. He retired in 2000 after 27 years of unselfish dedication. It was in this  year that William along with his twin brother, Michael were Co-Marshals of the Chicopee Parade Committee for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade, in Holyoke.  At the time, he was the 2nd Police Officer to serve as parade marshal. In his honor, the  union, Local #401 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, created a four leaf clover tie pin with the numeral 4 in its center, honoring his badge number. All patrolmen who marched in the parade wore this pin . William was past Vice President of the International Brothers of Police Officers and was Past Union Negotiator. He was past president of Tigers A.C.,presently was the organizations Treasurer, and helped start the Tiger's A.C. Youth Program. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Post #420, Chicopee. Following his retirement, William became employed in the office payroll of TMT Express Trucking Co., Chicopee. William is survived by his wife of sixteen years, Patricia (Meuse) Hurley; three sons, Richard Hurley and his fiancé Marisa Titus, of Bristol, R.I. , Michael Hurley, Sean Hurley, and daughter, Marikate Hurley all of Chicopee; two brothers, Michael Hurley of Chicopee, Jimmy Hurley of Virginia, Patty McGregor of Merrimack, N.H., Noreen Ruel of North Carolina and several nieces, nephews, aunts , and uncles. Funeral services are Saturday, beginning at 9 :30am from Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial, celebrated, at 10:30 in St. Patrick Church, 319 Broadway, Chicopee. Burial with military honor will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery, Chicopee. Calling hours at the funeral home are Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers the family has requested than contributions please be made to the Tigers A.C. Youth Program, 14 Montgomery St., Chicopee, Ma. ,01020.