The family and friends of David Hurley were left in a state of shock and disbelief when the news of his passing on January 21st was announced. After a short illness, he died unexpectedly in hospital in Bury St. Edmunds in the UK.
David was the eldest of the eight children of Michael Hurley and his wife Kathleen ( née Kelly). He was born in his grandmother's home at 7 Caherina Cottages in the Strand Road area of Tralee on May 1st 1947. The family lived at The Station House, The Spa, and in Ballymullen next to Minnie Galvin's shop before finally settling at 1240 Railway Terrace.
David received his primary education at Moyderwell Mercy and Edward Street CBS schools. He then moved on to CBS The Green, and sat for his Intermediate Certificate in 1963. Although he excelled at school, the harsh economic situation of the 1960s dictated the he leave school and take up employment. His first job was a sales assistant in Lynn's Man Shop, in Lr. Castle Street. From the outset David was a diligent worker and learned the art of salesmanship which held him in good stead in his later career.
On the advice of his friend Joseph Doyle, he left for London in 1967 with Joseph and Connie Neenan. David often expressed his gratitude to Joseph for persuading him to travel, as it was a life-changing move from which his career soon took off.
Living in Harrow during his first years in London, he worked in the retail drapery business. He soon moved to Reading and in 1969 he was joined by Carmel Healy. They married in ballybunion in 1971 and set up home in Didcot, Oxfordshire, in early 1972.
He then worked as a salesman selling business computer systems before setting up his own company in Cambridge in 1981. By this time David had acquired an extensive expertise in computer systems and he had the foresight to see the limitless opportunities in the development of these new areas of technology.
His new company, Anglia Business Solutions, was an IT consultancy organisation with extensive supply chain expertise which today serves many companies worldwide. The company employs forty people between their offices at Harston Mill, near Cambridge and their offices in Los Angeles.
The success of the business has been acknowledged through winning many awards over the past number of years. In 2010, Anglia won The Microsoft Dynamics NAV Partner Award. The company was chosen from an international field of top Microsoft partners delivering market-leading customers solutions built on Microsoft Technology.
David loved sport and was a shrewd and keen student of the turf. He closely followed the fortunes of the Irish and Munster rugby teams and was present in Cardiff for the Grand Slam win in '09. Kerry football was another of his sporting passions and he played with the John Mitchel's club before he emigrated.He was invited by his good friend Billy Daly to play at Tralee Golf Club in the late '90s and was immediately smitten by the beauty and challenge of this wonderful course. He joined as an overseas member in November 1999 and felt he was in 'heaven on earth" when he played there.
He loved music of all types and had a special interest in the '60s and '70s. He also loved the work of the classical composers. He was an avid reader and his range of knowledge and interests were extensive.
For all his successes in business, David was first and foremost a family man. He was very proud of his children Keith, Trevor and Michelle and adored both his grandchildren Isabella (4) and Chloe (2). Sunday lunch at a David's house was a special family occasion as David loved to cook and serve family meal.
David's mother had a very special place in his heart. He phoned her every Monday night without fail to catch up with family and local news. He loved to be present for family gatherings and celebrations.
In times of tragedy David was a great comfort to her, especially when his father, Michael died suddenly at the age of 56 in 1981, and also when his brother Cecil (44) passed away in 2002, More recently David's step father Denis (Dinny) Maher died and David was again Kathleen's consolation. David was a wonderful brother and friend to his siblings.
David loved visiting friends and relatives on his many visits to Tralee and felt at home in any company. He was a man of extraordinary talents, a true and loyal friend. He will be sadly missed by his children Keith, Trevor, Michelle and grandchildren Isabella and Chloe. David will be sadly missed also by his loving partner Colette.
He will be also be sadly missed by his family in Tralee, his loving mother Kathleen, brothers Kevin, Brendan and Noel, sisters Vourneen, Deirdre and Angela and also by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnieces by many friends and his colleagues at Anglia.
David's Funeral mass took place at St. Mary's Church, Newmarket, UK on Friday, January 27th and his remains were removed to the Crematorium, Risby, Bury St. Edmunds.
His ashes will be brought home to Ireland and scattered over some of his favourite places in Kerry on May 1st.

Courtesy of the Kerry's Eye
2nd February 2010 Tweet

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