John Robert Hurley was a true servant of God. As Johnny's Aunt Janet "the family lawyer," I had a few occasions over the years to guide Johnny legally, discuss the prospects of him becoming a lawyer and to raise some of the moral and constitutional dilemmas he was certain to face in his chosen profession, but during that same period, Johnny, who was 28 years my junior, ALWAYS, whether he knew it or not, was my spiritual moral compass. To anyone who met Johnny, they knew that he was different. And I propose to you that Johnny's difference was due to his unconditional love and commitment to God and his unwavering faith. As a young child and student at St. Christina's elementary, Johnny was so committed to learning and sharing his excitement about what he knew about God with others that someone labeled had him John the Baptist. While the comment was meant to be derogatory and embarrassing in nature, I am certain Johnny that was honored to have it. As he grew into adulthood Johnny continued to develop a more sophisticated appreciation of Christianity. As he did, he also to continue to excel at everything he did. At Western Illinois University he maintained a 4.0 average, making the deans list every semester and he graduating magna cum laude and a member of Phi Kappa Phi. If getting straight A's and being an honor student wasn't enough, during his college tenure, Johnny found the time to be: o Vice President of Western Illinois Corrections Club; o the Evangelism Coordinator for the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship; o an On-Campus volunteer security officer o an active member of the US Amateur Boxing Association - and driving an hour to Galesburg to help coach the young "boxers" in the local youth association. o a trained Emergency Medical Technician; o Author of a multitude of short stories! o Never wanting to take his wonderful parents' generosity for granted, John always took advantage of opportunities to contribute to the funding of his education; o He applied for and received a State Army ROTC Scholarship, o Applied for and was selected as A Student Fire Fighter, which entitled him to live and work at the local fire station during his last two years of college; o He was also an active member of his church youth group; o and always eager to near the man he believed to be the wisest man on earth, a part-time employee, with his father's company Hurley Electric, While many men would have folded under half the pressures brought by Johnny's commitments, or taken great pride by boasting of their accomplishments, Johnny did neither. He remained humble. Knowing as he did, that that his talents were gifts from God, Johnny always ended any great accomplishment with a statement praising and thanking God for giving him the talent or the opportunity. Throughout his life Johnny maintained a demanding schedule, all the while remaining a loving, caring and attentative son, husband, Big brother, grandson, uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, nephew and friend. When it was time to he entered the police academy, Johnny brought God along, as it was Johnny's love and faith in God that gave him the drive, the discipline and the emotional and physical strength needed to fully embrace the rigors presented by this accelerated program. As he had done in college, Johnny excelled at the academy, ultimately becoming Class Commander and graduating with highest honors as Top Gun. As Top Gun, he had the opportunity to choose any assignment in the City. Despite his mother's suggestion that he choose what she believed would be a safer assignment like Lincoln Park, or to ride his bicycle down the paths of Lake Shore Drive, Johnny chose instead to be assigned to the troubled inner city at 63rd street. As his career as a Chicago Police officer progressed, Johnny continued to approach his profession with the same intensity and passion he had approached college, the police academy and life. During this time he: o Receiving many awards and earned his masters degree; o was assigned to Special Operations for the Chicago Police Department and ranked 75 out of thousands who took the test for detective. He was certain to soon be called Detective Hurley. o During this time his father John, his mother Patti, his sister Kellie and, his wife Cheryl were by his side with their support, loyalty and love. Next to God, Johnny's family was the most important thing in his life. They were his "true North." He cherished his family, honoring and respecting his mother Patti, and Father John, in whom he confiding his deepest feelings, seeking guidance believing as he did his father was the wisest man on earth. He adored his sister Kellie, and was so proud to be the uncle of her son Kyle. He loved and cherished his wife Cheryl, and longed for the opportunity to bestow upon his child soon to be born, the love and guidance he has experienced as a child. How many young men, so immersed in their own lives, with a new family, tons of acquaintances, a demanding profession, a total commitment to God, will take the time during the week preceding father's day to spend time working side by side with their dad, and then take the time to write in a loving Father's day card, "Pops, working with you was the highlight of my week." I venture to say not many. Unfortunately, today nor tomorrow will ever provide sufficient hours for any one person to honor John Robert Hurley with words, for every positive adjective in the English dictionary could be used to describe this dedicated, talented and loving young man. So my question for those of us who knew and loved him, is the same as when I delivered Johnny's eulogy: Are we going to let John's story end here? To ensure it does not, I am here to remind each and every one of us that we are now the owners of a precious gift, the gift of having touched and known the spirit of John Robert Hurley. As such, we are now the guardians of Johnny's spirit. As with any guardian, we have duties that we must fulfill in the months and years ahead, long after the fund raisers have ended. For depending upon the path each of us chooses, Johnny's spirit will either flourish or it will fade. Just as trail markers mark paths in the forests, Johnny has clearly marked the path for each us to follow. With God's guidance and Johnny's spirit at your back: o When faced with the opportunity to shake hands or hug, think of Johnny and hug; o When given the chance to take, think of John and chose instead to give; o When negativity surrounds you, think of Johnny and seek out the positive; o When others have closed their minds, think of Johnny and keep yours open; o When you feel that you have been used, remember John and be grateful for the opportunity to serve; o When conclusions are being quickly drawn, remember Johnny and keep searching for facts; o When you're feeling disappointed, remember John and challenge your expectations; o When you find yourselves among those who hate, think of Johnny and remember to love; o When self-pity knocks at your door, think of Johnny and do not answer it; o When others choose to desert, think of him and remain loyal; o When you doubt if you can, remember John's courage and make the attempt; o When you believe God has closed a door, think of Johnny and look for the window that he would tell you God has opened. o And if you find that you believe that God has forsaken you, remember, He sacrificed His Only Son begotten so that you may have eternal life. Johnny was one of the few who found the narrow gate, and lived by it's rules. I know if we can find the strength to continue to follow the trail he has blazed, the world will be a better place for us having done so, and his memory and spirit will live on in each of us. For guidance to us all, I will close my comments with Psalm 23 which I know gave Johnny some of his: The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters He restores my soul He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Prepared and Submitted by Johnny's "Aunt Janet" with God's guidance and Johnny's Spirit
