William J. Hurley Jr.

William J. Hurley Jr., 87, of Wakefield died Friday January 16, at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital surrounded by his family.

Born in Arlington, MA, April 15,1938 and raised in Roxbury, he was the son of the late William J. and Margaret (Hallisey) Hurley.

Bill graduated from Boston Trade High School in 1956 where he played football and baseball while specializing in plumbing. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy where he proudly served on the destroyers USS Yellowstone and USS Cromwell. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Bill went on a blind date that would change his life when he met his beloved wife of 61 years, Claire (McNamara) Hurley, who survives him.

A self-employed Local 12 union plumber for 60+ years, he was a selfless man willing to take on plumbing projects for family, friends, friends of friends and people he didn’t know at all. His generosity with his skill set extended to the Sisters of the Poor in Somerville, where he worked tirelessly to keep the heat on and the pipes flowing.

Bill was the loving father of William J. Hurley III and his wife Susan of Melrose, Deborah A. Hurley, and John F. Hurley of Wakefield and the proud grandfather to Liam and Owen Hurley of Melrose. He is survived by brothers Joseph and Richard Hurley, as well as sisters Lorraine Lydstone, Barbara Aprilli, Elaine Nasuti, Dorothy Scott, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Gerard and John and sister Betty Augenstene.

Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday January 22 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service will be private.