E. WAREHAM – Robert Anthony Hurley, 75, known to his family and friends as “Rah-Rah”, died Monday, December 11, 2023 at the VA Palliative and Hospice Care in Brockton. He was the husband of Joanne M. (Balsama) Hurley.

Born in Quincy, he was the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Taylor) Hurley. He graduated from Norwell High School, Class of 1966 and attended the U.S. War College in Carlisle, PA. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served during Vietnam and was member of the U.S. Military Police honor guard funeral escort for over 100 deceased veterans from the Vietnam era. Mr. Hurley received a medal of commendation for saving a life while on duty in 1969.

After his military service, Mr. Hurley played semi-pro football for the Baltimore Colts farm team from 1971 to 1973. He was lieutenant with the Boston Special Police force handling security at several Boston area hospitals. From 1976 to 1980, he was manager for Canalside Apartments in Sagamore. From 1981 to 2021, he was sales representative for floral wire services including American Floral Services, FTD, 1-800-FLOWERS, and Teleflora.

Mr. Hurley was a life-member and three-time past Exalted Ruler of the Wareham-New Bedford Lodge of Elks # 73, a 28-year member of the Marconi Club in Sandwich, and was master of ceremonies for the Vietnam Traveling Wall in Wareham in 2017.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Hurley of E. Wareham; his daughter, Cassandra “Cassie” Hurley Robertson of Middleboro; his sons, Mark Whitney of Warwick, RI and Brian Whitney of Plymouth; his siblings, William Hurley of Hanson, Susan Setterland of Hanover, Sharon Lucas of Acton, Dawn Hurley of Norwell, and Laurel Deane of Sandwich. He was the proud “Papa” of Matthew, Michael and Myles Robertson, and Matthew, Kalen, Kylie, Michael, Mariah and Brian Whitney. He was predeceased by his brother, the late Jeffrey Hurley. Bob was also survived by his dear 4-legged companions, Rocky, Bella and Holly.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Wareham Elks in the early spring of 2024 along with a graveside service at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

Donations in his memory may be made to American Parkinson Disease Assoc., P.O. Box 61420,
Staten Island, NY 10306 or Brockton VAMC Campus, ATTN: CDCE (135), 940 Belmont St., Brockton, MA 02301 (Make checks payable to: VHABHS and write IMO: Robert Hurley in memo field. Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham. To leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com