GLOUCESTER: John Carroll “Carl” Hurst, 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 20, 2013, at the Seacoast Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was the husband of Claire A. (Tremblay) Hurst.
Born in Gloucester on December 20, 1933, he was the son of the late John W. and Mary J. (Cavanaugh) Hurst. He attended St. Ann’s School and was a graduate of the Gloucester High School.
He was an avid football player in high school and college. He co-captained the 1951 Gloucester High Class B Championship Team.
A U.S. Army veteran, he enlisted in 1955 and served as honor guard for military funerals in Washington, D.C. for two years.
He attended Bentley College and worked locally as an accountant, and as a sales manager for Union Oil Company of Revere.
In 1985, he purchased Ravenswood Spring Water Company and managed all aspects of a small business. He greatly enjoyed delivering spring water to the elderly and retelling their stories. After the building was destroyed by fire in 2000, he sold the business to Vermont Pure Company.
Carl was a good friend to many and loved by all. Those who knew him will fondly remember his integrity, willingness to help, and boundless energy.
He had endless enthusiasm for all he did, whether it was playing Sunday morning volleyball, card games, or going for a sauna. He especially enjoyed the outdoors; he loved hiking, golfing, sailing and scuba diving.
When he moved to East Gloucester, yard work became a major pastime and he “loved moving rocks.” Upon retiring, he and Claire spent several weeks during the winter in Palm Springs, California. They also enjoyed many years of extensive travel. Over the years, family visits gave him much pleasure, especially time spent with his granddaughters.
In addition to his wife of fifty-four years, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Carol L. and Joseph “Skip” Boissonnault of Park City, Utah; two granddaughters, Anne and Marguerite Boissonnault; his brother, James Hurst of Gloucester; three sisters, Shirley Moore of Winchester, Patricia Johnson and Judy Corcoran of Gloucester, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Muise.
In keeping with his wishes, his remains have been donated to Harvard Medical School. There are no services. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to Pathways for Children, 29 Emerson Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930. Arrangements are under the direction of the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester.