James Robert “Jim” Hurley of Weymouth died peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, August 6, 2026. He was 89 years young.

Jim was born in Boston on May 25, 1937, and was the son of the late Joseph and Maria Virginia (DiCicco) Hurley. He was raised in Milton and grew up attending St. Agatha’s Church and school. He then attended Archbishop Williams High School, entered the Coast Guard Academy, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University. His connection to Milton never left him, and he remained deeply rooted in the people, traditions, and places that shaped him.

Jim was a man of many talents and interests. He loved to sing, tap dance, play the harmonica, tell jokes, and, most of all, tell stories. Jim had a lot of stories. In fact, his family was still discovering new ones even after knowing him for decades. He could turn an ordinary moment into a story worth remembering, usually with a joke or two along the way.

Music was always an important part of Jim’s life. He had an incredible singing voice and loved to sing the classics. He enjoyed the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, and Tony Bennett, and he had a particular love for musicals. He enjoyed going to the theater and watching movies, including a recent Cary Grant movie marathon. He was a devoted viewer of Turner Classic Movies and loved the old films and the memories they brought with them. His favorite musical was South Pacific, and he never lost his appreciation for a good performance.

Jim was also a wonderful cook. He took great pride in being in the kitchen, and his family will always remember his cooking—especially his spaghetti sauce, which many would say was simply the best. He also enjoyed a good Irish Mist, a Stinger or Tanqueray and tonic, and there was rarely a shortage of conversation, laughter, or a good joke when Jim was around.

Jim loved working around the house. If something needed fixing, adjusting, or building, Jim was the man for the job. He took pride in working with his hands and could seemingly find a way to fix just about anything.

Jim’s professional life as a mechanical engineer was a source of tremendous pride. His longest career was with Thermo Electron, where his intelligence, creativity, and dedication earned him great respect. His name appeared on more than 25 patents, a remarkable testament to his ingenuity and impact on the field of mechanical engineering. He was also an educator, teaching at the Franklin Institute and Northeastern University, and thoroughly enjoyed sharing his knowledge with his students.

But for all of Jim’s professional accomplishments, his greatest pride was his family. He was the most devoted husband and father, and his family was at the center of his life. Jim married the love of his life on April 11, 1964, at St. Agatha’s Church in Milton. Together, they built a life in Weymouth, MA, filled with love, family, laughter, and countless memories. It was a true love story.

All were welcome at the Hurley home, and everyone felt welcomed and loved. He was happiest when the house was filled with his children and their friends, and then later, his grandchildren and their friends. He loved to tell everyone he met that he had six children, as he considered the spouses to be his children as well.

Over the years,Jim taught religious education, coached, and was actively involved in his children's and grandchildren’s extracurricular activities. He believed in being present, lending a hand, and giving young people the encouragement they needed. As a grandfather, Jim found endless joy in teaching and spending time with his grandchildren. To them and all of their friends, he was known as "Bumpa"—a name he was quite proud of. He taught each of them how to swim, play checkers, and tell a good joke. He loved to entertain his grandchildren with his antics, doing anything to make them laugh. He loved watching his family grow and took great pride in each of them.

Jim loved golf in his younger years and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life: good music, a good movie, a home-cooked meal, a drink with friends, and good company. He often stated that his job in life was to make others happy. In his later years, he earned the title of the “Mayor of Butler Road.” It was a title that suited him perfectly. Jim knew everyone, everyone knew Jim, and he had a way of making people feel welcome. He was loved and respected by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His piercing blue eyes, quick wit, great stories, and unmistakable personality made him impossible to forget.

Jim was the beloved husband of the late Ruth Ellen (Doyle) Hurley, who died in 2016. He was the devoted father of Daniel Hurley and his wife Margie of Cranston, Rhode Island; Diane Coffey and her husband Thomas of Weymouth; and Donna Lunt and her husband Thomas of Weymouth. Jim was the loving grandfather of Katie Coffey of Weymouth; Maggie Hurley of Cranston, Rhode Island; James Hurley of Cranston, Rhode Island; and Emily Lunt of Weymouth. He was the dear brother of J. Thomas Hurley and his wife Kathleen of Quincy, and the late Joseph Hurley and his late wife Madeline. Jim is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Jim leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, family, friendship, hard work, and a lifetime of stories. He will be deeply missed by all the lives he touched.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Friday, August 21, 2026, from, 4-8 PM, in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home EAST WEYMOUTH at 3 Charles Street (corner of Charles & Middle Street).

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home, at 9 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Albert the Great Church, Weymouth at 10 AM.

Services will conclude with interment in Fairmount Cemetery, Weymouth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Jim's name to the charitable organization of one's choice.