CHESTERTOWN — Frank Donald Hurst of Chestertown passed away on July 17, 2026 after a long battle with cancer, which he faced with grace and courage.
Born Jan. 31, 1947 in Baltimore, Frank was predeceased by his father, William Herman Hurst; his mother, Jean Richardson Hurst [a British World War II war bride]; and his stepmother, Barbara Hurst.
Frank spent his childhood in Baltimore and Ellicott City.
In 1965, he graduated from Howard High School and went on to attend Gettysburg College and the University of Maryland.
Frank was a proud University of Maryland alum, Class of 1969, and lifelong Terps football fan.
Frank’s career in the criminal justice field took him to Texas, Colorado, California, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. His multiple times living in and visiting the San Francisco Bay Area instilled a lifelong love of the city.
Frank and Ellen moved from Germantown, Maryland to Chestertown in 2006, where he was known as the friendly guy always wearing a baseball cap and accompanied by his sidekick, rescue beagle Skipper.
Since Frank founded Ye Olde Town Bocce League in 2013, the league has grown to more than 400 players, and Frank became known as “Mr. Bocce.”
Those who have known Frank described him as a fine and witty man who was brave, kind and thoughtful with a great commitment to family and community.
Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Ellen Dougherty Hurst; adoring daughters, Allison Hurst Restauro of Baltimore and Amanda Hurst McGuire of Ellicott City; loving sons-in-law, Dennis Restauro and Brian McGuire; and four grandchildren, George Restauro, Penelope “Bee” Restauro, Riley McGuire and Abigail McGuire.
He also is survived by his brother Mitchell Hood and family; brothers-in-law George Dougherty and Brian Dougherty and their families; many cousins; and a lifetime of dear friends.
A private service and burial will be on July 31 in Ellicott City.
A Celebration of Life will take place at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Hall, 101 N. Cross St. in Chestertown on Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m.
Due to Frank’s love of animals and of Chestertown, the family asks that any memorial contributions be made to the Animal Care Shelter for Kent County or to the Sultana Education Foundation, which provided his grandchildren with marvelous summers.
One Response
Frank was much beloved and has created a wonderful legacy here in Chestertown. Our deep sympathy to Ellen and family.