`Ted' Hurley, Business Owner, Veteran And Dedicated Father

Edward George "Ted" Hurley made many good moves in his life, including playing basketball at Seattle's Queen Anne High School, and later, City League baseball.

He served with the Navy in World War II, then earned a business degree at Seattle University.

A few years later, he and a builder friend started a building-supply business, Brennan Supply Co., which expanded to three stores in the Seattle area.

But his best moves were as a father, said his daughter, Gail Wham of Federal Way.

"Dad encouraged us in everything we did, supporting our brother in Little League sports, and my sister and me in recitals. He took us all on the train to Disneyland the year it opened," she said.

"He also instilled in us the Roman Catholic values he grew up with. We are married to the same people we started with, and gave him six beautiful grandchildren."

Mr. Hurley died Wednesday, June 12, following heart surgery. He was 76.

The Seattle native grew up in a family of modest means, in a rented home on Queen Anne Hill. When he wanted to start a business, his parents said he already had a good job with the Internal Revenue Service.

But he and Art Walker bought a garage full of building supplies and opened a store at Aurora Avenue North and North 140th Street. Mr. Hurley helped organize businessmen in the area, which at the time was less developed than today.

Later he opened stores in Bellevue and on Pacific Highway South, and took part in early Home Shows.

He sold the Brennan stores in 1968, when he was only 48, but the new owners kept the name.

Mr. Hurley then had time to develop his golf game. He became a familiar figure - and officer - at Sand Point Country Club. "He was one of those rally-round guys with a booming voice," said his golf buddy Mark Antoncich. "You couldn't help liking him. His personality was really outgoing. But he was noisy. We used to kid him, `We knew you were coming before you even arrived.' "

In addition to his daughter, Gail Wham, survivors include his wife of 21 years, Isabelle Hurley of Edmonds; children Judy Broyles of San Diego and John Hurley of Renton; and sister, Betty Daebler, Mesa, Ariz. His first wife, Dorothy Hurley, died in 1974.

Services for Mr. Hurley were held. Remembrances may go to the American Heart Association, 4414 Woodland Park Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103.