GILFORD-Frank N. Hurt, late of Gilford, NH passed on March 15, 2018 with his family by his side.
Frank was raised in Sanbornton, NH the eldest of three children of Adelbert and Virginia(Forbes)Hurt.
Frank attended Laconia High School where he was both Class President of his graduating class, and captain of the Ski Team, which he led to many championships. Among his many accomplishments in ski racing, were his individual first place finishes in National ski racing events in Vail CO, and Jackson Hole WY. His natural ability in Ski racing, earned him many medals and trophies in the Alpine and cross country disciplines.
These achievements, along with his academics, qualified his acceptance to Middlebury College, VT. While at Middlebury, he continued to excel in Alpine ski racing earning top placement on the college ski team gaining much recognition. Because of his accomplishments in his 4 years of college ski racing, Frank earned a spot on the 1960 Olympic team as an alternate for the Men’s Alpine events. A staunchly devoted competitor, Frank continued alpine Ski Racing, and continued to dominate his age bracket, well into his thirties.
Graduating Middlebury in 1958, with a degree in Business and a commission in the Army as a Second Lt. he was assigned to a Reserve unit from Ft. Devens, MA. Subsequent to his Army obligation and an Honorable Discharge, he became a Ski representative of Lund Ski Company based in Laconia, NH and from there moved on to the Dynamic Ski & Head Ski companies. Frank's business acumen and ski industry knowledge, along with his tenacity, earned him a position as Executive Vice President of Atomic Ski USA, located in Bedford,
NH. A position he held for 20 years.
In retirement, Frank took up competitive running as a way to “train” for his Cross Country ski racing...Or, was it the other way around? He was frequently found in the top finishers of whatever age bracket in which he was competing. The family remembers his undaunting spirit when competing in the annual Mt. Washington road race, where he would annually compete against his own previous year’s time. Frank’s name can be found on plaques all over the US, and he left behind an impressive trophy collection that spanned over 60 years. In 2014, He earned a spot in the Masters World Championship X-country races in Austria. He is honored in both the New England Ski Museum, and the New England Runner’s Hall of Fame.
Frank will be remembered by many, for his determination, competitiveness, generosity, one-speed work ethic (high gear), and for being a mentor. He was focused on excelling and rarely acknowledged what others would consider obstacles in the paths of life. Even in these last two years, he felt certain he could out-run and beat the cancer which eventually took his life.
Frank’s family is grateful for the loving care that his son Joshua and Joshua’s partner Cat gave him in his final months. He is survived by his former wife Darcy Wolf of Missouri; son Demian of Medford, Oregon; son Joshua and grandchildren Isabella, Sophia, and Zander of Asheville, North Carolina; brother George of Gilford, New Hampshire, nephew K. Peter Hurt and his wife Michelle of Hampton, New Hampshire; sister Nancy Sigafus and her husband Bill of Montrose, CO. and their children and grandchildren. His four cousins: Ellie, Susan, Conni, and Kathi and their families in Massachusetts, with whom he shared many humorous and helpful times in his formative years. He was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11AM on Friday, May 4, 2018 at St. Andre Bessette Parish -Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH with Father Gary Kosmowski conducting the services.
Burial will follow in the family lot at Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.