Remembering Marty

The following excerpts come from the prayer service at the beginning of school the day after Marty Hurley's death.

Martin Hurley III was born in Neptune, NJ in 1946. His father was an Army drummer in World War II. Mr. Hurley grew up playing the drums in various bands including his high school marching band and rock bands that played in the clubs on the Jersey Shore. He earned an undergraduate degree in music education from Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. Before he could enter Vanderbilt University to study for a master’s degree, he was drafted into the Air Force during the Vietnam War and sent to Keesler Air Force Base where he was placed in the band. While stationed in Biloxi, he began to visit New Orleans frequently and gave drumming lessons to Brother Martin students. When Mr. Hurley was discharged from the Air Force, he was hired by Brother Martin where he stayed for the next 37 years.

Last year, Mr. Hurley was recognized for his unstinting commitment to his students when he was elected to Louisiana Music Educators Hall of Fame. Upon his election, one of his former students said:

I spent more time with Mr. Hurley than any other man that was not my father. Mr. Hurley was tough and indeed no nonsense. I rightfully drew his ire several times over the years. He cared about his work and demanded our best. I don't pick up any instrument very often these days but benefit every day from what he instilled in me.

Dominick Caronna ('85), Marty's assistant since 1993:

As we contemplate the first time in 37 years Mr. Hurley will not be with us, we feel tremendous sadness, shock, and confusion. The pain of loss is so pronounced it is scary to think of how we can possibly go on. Yet I remember so many things and so many moments with him. I see him standing before us at the podium, on the practice field, or in line at the airport with his wife Paulette going to the other place he loved: Hawaii.

He and his wife have a brown poodle named Bean, who is the color of a coffee bean and whom Mr. Hurley thought of as his child. Many times he told me that he couldn't wait to get home and throw the ball around with Bean.

Just as he loved to spend time with Paulette and Bean, Mr. Hurley loved to be with his "kids" here at Brother Martin. I was always amazed to see him hanging out on the field at lunchtime talking with his students. Remember that, drummers? He talked with football players, who seemed to know him well. They always greeted him with a hearty, "Hey Mr. Hurley!"

And of course the pride he showed and instilled in his beloved Crusader Band. The pride felt by every member of the drum line to have been taught by him down through the years. These blessings will be remembered and cherished forever.

Whenever we hear the drum break during the Brother Martin Fight Song, the famous melodic sound of his cadences urging us on, and see the look of happiness on the face of someone taught by one of his proud students we will know that Mr. Hurley is there continuing to teach and leading us on!

Dominick Caronna and Marty 2010

From the Book of Wisdom:

They shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.
In the time of their judgment they shall shine and dart about as sparks through stubble.