Thomas Hurney - Obituary

homas J. Hurney, 83, a 20-year resident of Heritage Harbour, died on February 12, 2011. He was a fourth generation Washingtonian who was born on June 27, 1927. He attended Gonzaga High School and graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep of Philadelphia. After graduating, Mr. Hurney enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, where he played for teams in football, basketball and baseball. He also played minor league football and baseball on the West Coast. Mr. Hurney attended Georgetown University under the G.I. Bill and received his degree in 3 years in 1949. He had a long career in sales, working for Acme Visible Records, Arnold Graphics and ANC, Inc. He retired in 1997 at age 70. Mr. Hurney had a lifetime of charitable service in the greater Washington area community. He was heavily involved with the Washington Touchdown Club, where he served for many years on committees, as dinner chairman and as President in 1968, when he was given the club’s “Timmie” Award for Outstanding Achievement. He was twice president of the Home Plate Club. He was the Chairman of the President’s Cup Regatta and ran the unlimited hydroplane races on the Potomac River in the late 1960’s and early 70’s. He received an award from the American Power Boat Association for “Outstanding Contribution to Power Boat Racing.” He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Boys’ Clubs of Greater Washington and was a member of the Elks Club, the American Legion and various other civic and business organizations. In recognition of his charitable works, he was honored in 1981 as “Man of the Year” by the Shaw Community Center, and honored by resolutions of the Council of the District of Columbia and the 97th Congress of the United States. Mr. Hurney was an accomplished speaker and Master of Ceremonies, and presided over numerous banquets, dinners and ceremonies. He was also a lifelong Washington Redskins fan, a season ticket holder since 1951 and active in the Redskin Alumni Association. Mr. Hurney was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. and Lorraine Wall Hurney, and his brother, Francis C. Hurney. He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Marjory Chase Hurney; a sister, Maureen Hurney McGarey; daughter, Lorraine Hurney Taylor; son, Thomas J. Hurney, Jr.; and daughter, Maureen Hurney King; and grandchildren, Christopher B. Taylor, Patrick J. Taylor, Tyler C. King, Grace E. Hurney, Eleanor F. Hurney and Thomas J. (Jack) Hurney, IV. Friends are invited to Mr. Hurney’s Life Celebration at the GEORGE P. KALAS FUNERAL HOME, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, February 15, from 1 p.m. until service begins at 2 p.m. Burial at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salvation Army Headquarters, 615 Slater Lane, P.O. Box 269, Alexandria, VA 22313 or by accessing the link at the bottom of the right column on this page. An online guestbook is available for your convenience by accessing the link at the top of this page.