Peter John Hurley
Peter John Hurley, 67, died on July 19, 2024 during a vacation in Newport, Rhode Island, from a sudden heart attack while he was running with his wife in nearby Jamestown.
Peter is survived by his wife, Lorraine Hurley; son, Branden (Jaimarie), daughter, Bryanna; step-children, Benjamin Christie (Rebecca), Heather Christie (Jeffrey Lamond), and Naomi Christie (Alex) Christie; sister, Michelle Walker and brothers, Dennis Hurley and Matthew (Jennifer) Hurley; and grandchildren, Blake and Liam Hurley.
He was predeceased by his brother, James Patrick Hurley (Mary) and his parents, James and Alice Hurley.
Peter was born in Boston and raised in Needham and West Yarmouth, Ma. In high school, he ran track, was captain of the lacrosse and football teams, and was an avid boater, sailor and water skier. After attending Northeastern University, Peter traveled throughout the northwest and central states for Stanley Tools in the company Winnebago. No matter how small a town one may have called home, Peter seemed to have been there at some point.
Peter and his first wife Suzanne lived in Michigan, California and New York before settling in Rhode Island to raise a family. After enjoying several positions and promotions at the Schlagel Corporation helping to design new products, he formed a mergers and acquisitions firm based out of Providence, RI.
In 2002, Peter underwent quadruple bypass surgery and changed his lifestyle significantly, becoming scrupulous about his diet, exercise and health, and taking on endurance cycling.
Since 2007 Peter has owned and led American Bicycle Group. Headquartered in Chattanooga, ABG produces high-end triathlon, road and gravel bikes, including the Quintana Roo, Litespeed and Obed brands. Hurley served as CEO and chairman, growing the company many times over. He was an innovator, developing a consumer-direct model in which customers personalize made-to-order bikes, shipped directly to their doors. Many of the company’s employees are cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts themselves and a healthy lifestyle is encouraged in and out of the office. Peter had an open-door, team management style in which relationships were key and employees and their families were highly valued. Among his colleagues, he was known for his warmth, humor, generosity and integrity.
Peter competed in dozens of half and full Ironman-distance triathlons, including three Ironman 70.3 World Championships. In recent years, he developed a passion for gravel bikes, finishing in the top ten overall at the Unbound Gravel 50-mile race in 2021 at age 64.
Peter met his wife Lorraine in 2004 and they married in 2009. They spent all of their free time together and their genuine enjoyment of one another was evident to all around them. Their five children are spread across the globe from San Francisco to Glasgow, Scotland. Peter especially loved playing with his two grandchildren and was very fond of the children of his employees, as well. Peter placed God at the center of his marriage and all of his relationships, personal and professional. He enjoyed encouraging others and providing them with opportunities. He believed any gifts he was given were to be shared for the betterment of others.
Peter spent the last days of his life traveling, sailing, bike-riding, telling stories and laughing with close friends and family. He was fun-loving and quick with a joke. He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he touched.
Following a private service, a Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Sept. 23, at Common House, 1517 Mitchell Ave., Chattanooga, from 5-7 p.m.