In life, Paul Hurst loved Collingwood and all the people in it. In death, the community is returning that love.
Hurst expressed his big-hearted love for the town with a constant flow of community spirit.
It poured back in waves of memories, wishes of sympathy, and doorstep conversations from an endless stream of friends and acquaintances, paying tribute to Paul’s life through his widow, Donna.
A family friend said she went to two local stores where she met people purchasing the last sympathy card in stock. Both times they were cards for Paul Hurst.
“She said, ‘at the end of the day, there’s going to be no more sympathy cards in Collingwood,’” Donna chuckled. “Paul lived here so long, and was involved in so many things and people cared … it makes you feel good and it would have made Paul feel so good too.”
At the end of his life, Paul battled pancreatic cancer. But the fatal disease couldn’t touch his spirit.
On April 7, for his and Donna’s 48th wedding anniversary, he arranged for Sheila Stewart to come to their home with her bagpipes to perform a private concert.
He had known Stewart for her whole life, and knew he could call in a favour.
She performed again today during his funeral, also at his request.
Paul met the love of his life playing the game he loved.
Donna came to Collingwood in 1970 to work as a nurse at the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital. She and a friend joined the curling club where they met Paul.
The victor of their first game as rivals varied depending on which of the Hurst’s told the story. They’ve curled together as competitors ever since.
When the two married, Paul moved out of his childhood home on Minnesota Street into the home directly next door, and they stayed there for their 48-year marriage.
A funeral procession brought Paul past his life-long homes one more time today, travelling the road where Paul played street hockey as a child.
Though she was his most beloved curling club competitor, Paul made hundreds of friends at the club in his 60-plus years of membership there.
As a teen, he led the Collingwood Collegiate Institute team to victory in the Georgian Bay School Sports Association championships. Later, he became club president and resident friendly-faced volunteer.
Paul didn’t just serve the town as a volunteer, he worked for the town for about 35 years, beginning first as a desk clerk and working his way up to deputy clerk. He became a firefighter and joined Collingwood Fire Department in 1973 where he eventually earned the rank of captain before retiring in July of 2000.
When Dan Thurman, now Collingwood’s deputy fire chief, started as a volunteer firefighter in the ‘90s, it was under the leadership of Captain Paul Hurst.
“He was easy to work with … encouraging,” recalled Thurman. “He always touched base with the new firefighters, never laid into them. Fire was his second family.”
Thurman remembered the summer barbecues Paul would host at his cottage at Brock Beach (Wasaga). He’d often invite the fire department.
“He was a people person, and he took you in,” said Thurman. “He was like a mentor.”
A Collingwood Fire Department pumper truck led today’s funeral procession, and a line of firefighters saluted at the cemetery as the hearse passed by.
Paul was not only skilled in the art of conversation, he was known as a local handyman.
“If someone was doing a project, he loved to give advice and sort of help with their projects,” said Donna. “That’s what we’re going to remember.”
It’s also what made him one of the most valuable volunteers at the Great Northern Exhibition (GNE).
Collingwood Agricultural Society director Maxine Coutts-Reid said Paul was counted on for more than three decades as a volunteer and ambassador for the fair.
“He knew what was going on everywhere so he could answer everyone’s question,” said Coutts-Reid.
Paul was usually in the fair’s front office during GNE weekend, at least when he wasn’t running an errand or mingling with the fair guests.
“He was always pleasant to be around, to talk to, and he could lend a hand wherever it was needed,” said Coutts-Reid. “He was very generous with his time. He’s always been there on fair weekend. We will miss him a great deal.”
His most caring service was first for his wife and family.
Before he died, he bought Donna a new washer and dryer and a stove. And he arranged the sale of his truck.
“We were a good team, we looked after each other,” said Donna.“He was kind and generous, and thoughtful and he really was a true gentleman. And that’s what a lot of people have said when they’re sending notes.”
Presiding over his service today was Judy Walton, formerly the minister at All Saints’ Anglican Church in Collingwood. Paul attended services there from birth. Walton performed Paul’s daughter’s wedding, his father’s funeral and the baptism of his grandchildren.
“He loved Collingwood, he really did,” said Donna. “And, he liked to help people.”
Paul Hurst died on June 18, 2021. He was 77.
