Some words that I would use to describe my dad would be kind, loving, generous, funny, jovial, humble, and unconditional.


He was born on August 28, 1955 to Emma Rodriguez and Robert Hurst. He was raised by his loving grandparents in New York and Puerto Rico along with his aunts and uncles that he considered to be his siblings and younger sister, Debbie. He is survived by his children: Emma, Wayne, and Danielle. He was a proud Grandpa to six grandchildren Christopher, Neili, Paola, Dominic, Derek, and Robert. He is also survived by his spouse/best friend, Wanda.


During his younger years Dad adopted a "work hard, play hard" attitude which became the guidelines to how he lived his life. He loved things that went fast and made a lot of noise. One of the joys in his life was to ride motorcycles. Dad also loved his sports cars and has probably owned more that I could ever name (no matter how many times he told me the same stories.) From a young age he worked hard to support his wife and two children until circumstances led him to move from Puerto Rico to New York. Regardless of the distance between him and his children he loved them immeasurably.


While in New York he began a new chapter in his life when he met my mom, Wanda. They may not have clicked immediately but they quickly became friends and fell in love. During this time he started maturing into the man that he was always meant to be. When my dad met me he immediately fell in love and decided to raise me as his own daughter with no hesitation. He knew in his heart that we were meant for each other. He taught us the meaning of unconditional love. What he didn't know at the time was that he'd quickly need to learn unconditional patience because we were going to spend the better part of the next three decades pushing buttons that he didn't even know he had.


Dad's biggest source of pride was being a grandpa. He always made an effort to be part of every activity that we did as a family regardless of how he may have been feeling. He sacrificed himself to care for his grandchildren and his entire family to the best of his ability and then some. He was certainly the baby whisperer of the family. Not only did Dad decide to raise me as his own daughter he also decided to step in and become a strong paternal influence to my sons. Dad's will to help raise his grandsons kept him alive long after his body was failing him. He also needed unconditional patience for his grandchildren because they found new buttons to push!


Dad was the definition of a family man. I do not personally know any other family that is more blended than ours and he was a big influence behind that. Every person that entered his life and chose to stay became his family regardless of how they met, who introduced them, or how they treated him. A person's circumstances never mattered to him because he accepted everyone with a hug, a plate of food, a place to stay, and a silly joke. Never in my life have I met anyone with a greater capacity to love than my daddy.


Dad was a tremendous example of what a human being and parent should be. He was quick to admit his flaws and make an effort to improve on them. He never thought he was better than anyone else and always took the time to listen to people and love them. Many people have been blessed to know such an amazing person. I am so thankful that he has been such a huge influence on the woman that I am today and the young men that my sons are becoming. The world would be a better place if there were more people like Wayne.