James W. Hurley

James W. Hurley, 91, a 55-year resident of Altamont, N.Y., died Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany, N.Y. after a brief illness.  He was the husband of the late Wanda K. Hurley, his wife of 57 years. He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Hurley of Altamont, N.Y.; his daughter Valerie Hurley and son-in-law Michael Kilian of Harvard, Mass.; and his beloved grandchildren Helen, Peter, and Thomas Kilian of Harvard, Mass.  He was pre-deceased by his daughter Janet Hurley. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Carol Hurley of Willimantic, Conn., and by his niece Kerry DeJesus, and nephews Tom Hurley, Tim Hurley, and John Hurley, all of Connecticut. Jim was born in Willimantic, Conn. to William T. and Helen (McMurdie) Hurley. He served in World War II in the U.S. Army, 393rd Special Services Engineer Regiment. His Company worked in the Port of London, England on the artificial harbors, or mulberries, that were floated over to Normandy after that battle was won; they later helped to re-build France’s buildings, roads, and bridges. After the war, Jim earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Connecticut.  Jim’s career was spent as a bank examiner, first for the state of Connecticut and then for New York state. He was a founding member of the Great Northeastern Railroad Foundation, which helped to rescue one of the last steam engines built at the General Electric plant in Schenectady, N.Y. He loved to read, especially the newspaper, do household handyman projects, and to collect tools of all kinds, especially from his favorite supplier, R.B. Wing & Son.  Jim will be remembered for his gentle, loving spirit.  Calling hours will be held Saturday, Feb. 15, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Bacon Funeral Home, 71 Prospect St., Willimantic, Conn. Interment will follow  at St. Joseph cemetery. Donations in Jim’s memory may be made for the maintenance of the World War II monument, wwiimemorial.com.