That’s Amore

As we near February 14th, Valentine’s Day, I am sharing the story of Chuck Hurl, who turned 99 on February 7th. Chuck enjoys celebrating his birthday and Valentine’s Day with his friends at Concordia. Valentine’s Day has always been about couples and love, but it has changed in the last decade. It now means different things to different people and is not confined to just a romantic partner. It expands to families, friends, caregivers, co-workers, neighbors, and even the acquaintances you interact with every day. Now friends celebrate too! Chuck and his many friends have been celebrating love and friendship daily.

Chuck was born in Sharpsville, a small town in Pennsylvania. After he graduated from high school, he attended Penn State University for a semester before the mayor of his town needed him to fill the town’s draft quota, so Chuck was drafted into the army. Chuck served valiantly for three years and was wounded three times, but he only reported two of the injuries. He wanted to stay in the army as he had lost many of his friends from back home in the war, so he continued to serve his country for his full term.

After three years, Chuck went back to college at Penn State and finished his engineering degree. It was here that his first love, his mom, helped him chose his first job. He took a job in Greenville, Pennsylvania so he could be close to his mom. Before long, he met a lovely high school teacher on a blind date and was married. Nancy and Chuck celebrated many Valentine’s Days over their marriage. They had five children and thought they would retire overseas in Brazil where Chuck worked early in his career, but it was his son-in-law who encouraged him to come visit Bella Vista. He fell in love with the natural beauty and golf courses in Bella Vista. Initially Chuck and Nancy bought a home on the lake but decided they wanted to really celebrate retirement.

Concordia was a place where, as a hunter and fisherman, Chuck could really enjoy the outdoors. He said he often heard wild turkeys when they first moved to Concordia Retirement Community and once saw 47 deer on the golf course from their town home. You could see Chuck light up as he told me about dancing on Friday nights at Concordia, playing bridge with friends, and enjoying the wood burning stove in their town home.

After his wife Nancy passed, Chuck thought that he would remain single at Concordia. Then he met his second wife on the golf course, and they enjoyed many years together until she passed in 2017. However, Chuck’s story is not over or sad. Chuck lives life to the fullest with many friends. In fact, he brings wine for lunch every time spaghetti is served! It is fun to see how he brings joy and love to his life and friends at Concordia. He will celebrate his 99th birthday surrounded by about 80 family members and friends at Concordia this Friday, February 10th. He might just enjoy a bottle of red wine as a gift so he can continue spreading love and friendship at Concordia. That’s Amore!!!

Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for everyone to show someone else they are valued and cared for. Concordia is a special place where love is displayed daily. Mother Teresa provides the selfless example of how unconditional love toward others should look. She says, “It’s not about how much you do, but how much love you put into what you do that counts.” If you would like more information about Concordia and are interested in meeting some of our wonderful residents like Chuck, please call 479-855-3714 and let us show you how you can be a part of our community!