Paul Desmond Hurley of New Rochelle, NY, formerly of Dublin, Ireland, passed away suddenly on Friday, September 9th, 2023. He was 58 years old. Born in Finglas, Dublin to Desmond and Philomena Hurley, Paul was the youngest of six children. He was raised in Finglas where he attended Patrician College Boys School. Paul excelled in sports and actively participated in hurling and Gaelic football. After attending secondary school, Paul pursued his passion for bartending by attending bartending school in Ireland before eventually emigrating to New York City.
Paul’s initial employment was as a bartender at Harbor Lights in New York City before moving on to O’Reillys Pub and Restaurant on 31st Street for a few years. However, Paul harbored grander ambitions and visions. His first entrepreneurial venture was P.J. Smyths on Murray Street. With clients predominantly from City Hall, Paul leveraged his networking skills and captivating personality to capitalize on these connections. Throughout his career, Paul established numerous successful establishments; the most notable being P.D. O’Hurleys on West 72nd Street in Manhattan, which not only became a neighborhood bar but also the home of Engine 40 & Ladder 35 Softball team.
In 1992 Paul would reconnect with his high school sweet heart from Finglas, Dublin; Finola Doherty. Finola followed Paul to America, and the couple embarked on a love story that would stand the test of time. They exchanged vows at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1998 and subsequently relocated to Westchester later that same year. Together they were blessed with a son named Desmond who graduated from Iona Prep and is currently attending Penn State University.
In his leisure time, Paul was a dedicated supporter of anything GAA and played a crucial role in establishing the Dublin GAA team in New York. Paul held esteemed positions as past president of the United Restaurant and Tavern Organization, as well as the IBO and various other Civic Groups. He was the Aide to the Grand Marshal for the 2013 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. He had a passion for travel and always enjoyed his homeland, Ireland.
Above all else, Paul will be remembered as a loving family man who possessed an infectious larger-than-life personality. He possessed a quick wit and charming presence that made anyone who walked into one of his bars feel at home. Paul’s wife Finola described him as a loving, kind, thoughtful man with a mischievous smile. He will be deeply missed by his loyal patrons, devoted staff, and, most importantly, his cherished family and friends.
Paul leaves behind his beloved wife of 25 years, Finola Hurley; his son, Desmond Hurley; his siblings: Mary, Michael, Dermot and Carmel; his sister-in-laws; Anne, Margaret and Angela as well as his brother-in-laws Mike and Gerry. Additionally, Paul will be fondly remembered by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, and friends. His loss will be deeply felt by all those fortunate enough to have known him. Preceding him in death are his parents Desmond and Philomena and his brother Brendan Hurley.
A celebration of Paul’s life will take place at the Pelham Funeral Home located at 64 Lincoln Avenue, Pelham New York on Friday September 15th from 4-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday September 16th at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church located at 575 Fowler Avenue, Pelham Manor, New York. Interment will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. For further information or to leave a condolence message, please visit www.pelhamfuneral.com.
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.
