John Charles Thomas Hurley

So long Hurls. You, old mate have been such a legend in our industry, always helpful, always fast, and always with some great banter. Best wishes to your family, friends and former workmates.

I worked with John during my time at Naylor Love and the at the DCC. I always enjoyed working with John real top bloke cheers for the memories.

My earliest memory of Uncle John was when my sister Jan and I were staying there when I was maybe 5 or 6 or even younger. We were in bed getting ready to put the light out but there was a cranefly flying about the room. We thought it was a flying spider and started shouting and squealing, as one does. John came charging in asking what all the nonsense was about. He then started leaping about, climbing on the beds trying to get it, all the while giving helpful suggestions like - if you turn out the light and close your eyes you won't even see it, but we were having none of it. I don't remember the end but I assume he got it. I also remember him giving us rides on his motorbike up and down the driveway, which was a bit exciting as the driveway was quite bumpy. He gave the next generation, my nieces and nephews, rides in a trailer pulled by the quadbike. We always enjoyed visiting John and Jenny and will miss John a lot.

I have so many fond memories of time spent on the farm with John and Jenny, from catching lobsters in the creek and boiling them up, to shooting slug guns and riding around on the quad bike. Those are moments I’ll always treasure. One of my favourite memories is John and Dad at our wedding, playing silly bugger in the dress-up gear and keeping everyone laughing. That was John, full of fun, mischief, and warmth. Thank you for the memories, John. You’ll be deeply missed.

Growing up as three city brothers, going to Uncle John’s and Aunty Jenny’s was one of the only chances we had to get a bit of a taste of a farm and rural life. Was so exciting as a young lad knowing we were going there and we could explore the creek or have a ride on the quad bike. John always made it fun when we were there, and John and Dad were always cracking jokes and having a good time, which made for some great memories. I’m not certain, but I’m pretty sure the last time I caught up with him was in 2022 when I was coaching in Dunedin, and he and Charlene picked me up and took me back to the farm for dinner to have a good catch-up with Jenny also. Will certainly miss catching up with him whenever I am in Dunedin. ❤️

Cheers Hurls’! Thanks for being one of the greats! Thanks for getting my career going at M+W in the 90’s and just being a classic good bastard! Emma and I have such memories of your sayings and banter and we’ll cherish these forever. Thinking of you Jenny and family. RIP Hurls’ Haggis and Rudds

The moment John and I met was when Lea took me down to Dunedin in the late 70's to meet her family. I was pretty nervous of course but they made me so welcome. Meeting John was a blast as he enjoyed the thing I liked the most and that was Sport. John was a passionate Kaikorai Rugby man having played for the Senior Team. I was a Senior Hockey player who had played for North Harbour That was it, I was going to like this guy who became such a treasured part of my life. Whenever we caught up, either at Hurley Family gatherings or Bartholomew Weddings, there was always some great banter between us, especially talking Sport. My sons Sam, Joe and Elliot took a liking to John straight away and struck up a special relationship with him. He would come and watch them play hockey, and they would visit John and Jenny sometimes at their house. Sometimes on those special occasions, a bottle of Rum or Whiskey would appear, and then John and I would usually be worse for wear. Just to finish off my spiel about John. John was the best Brother in Law I could have wished for. He will sadly be missed. Watching the Highlander's or All Blacks won't be the same with banter going back and forth or the odd visit from time to time. He was like his father in that he could turn his hand to anything. RIP John.

Hurles - another good bastard gone to join the table drinking glasses of red on the other side. Thanks for the great memories the clay shots, the shots that got away, the fish that we landed and the fish that we didn’t! For your support with our deck construction and your words of wisdom in that process “Tell the Auck council it’s just a f&*ken deck!”. For Always telling it how it is, for telling the tall tales and for being ready to laugh! Gonna miss catching up with you Hurles! One of the true Gents. Go well. Cheers Bob and Cat McPate

John was one of the great ones. He will be missed by so many people Sincere wishes to Jenny, Charlene, Shaun and their families

Dearest Jenny and family, John’s sudden death will be devastating for you all. Your years together will have wonderful memories I’m sure. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love June (Mills)

John was a good neighbour and a very kind man. I was very grateful for all the help he gave me after Richard died. My thoughts are with you, Jenny and with your family. Such a shock.

Back in the day there were some great battles with John on the squash court. We revisited those when a group of old 'squashies' got together just last Thursday. Sorry I won't be in town for his service, but so pleased to have been amongst the group that caught up with John and shared so many laughs last week.