Published in the July 1, 2016 edition
MELROSE — Herbert G. Schurian, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at the Kaplan Family Hospice House on Sunday, June 26, at age 80.
Herbert, known by all as “Herb,” was born in Boston on May 30, 1936. His parents, the late Bernhard and Alwine (Ruck) Schurian of German descent, immigrated to the United States and settled in Medford.
Herb attended Medford schools before attending the Norfolk County Agricultural High School. It was during his high school years that Herb’s lifelong love for farming and working outdoors was born.
After graduating from Norfolk, Herb served in the U.S. Army and began working toward a degree in Dairy Husbandry from UNH when his plans changed. While visiting with his family on Lake Winnisquam in New Hampshire, he met Melrose native, Nancy Crane, and they fell in love. They were married on June 18, 1960, and soon Herb was taking classes at Northeastern University to obtain his degree in Business Administration.
They settled in Melrose to raise a family of three and Herb started an accounting career in Boston before opening his own practice in Melrose.
Herb provided professional accounting work for 56 years, working with the support of Nancy from 1966 until just this year. His clients included small businesses, audits for HUD projects and various business and personal taxes. Since 1967, Herb was a member of the Massachusetts Board of Public Accounting.
Herb was very involved with the Melrose community over the years. With his background as a CPA, he often served as Treasurer for local organizations including Melrose Little League Baseball, the Melrose High School Permanent Scholarship Fund and the Melrose Day Care Center. He also coached the “Cougars” Little League Baseball team for many years. Herb was a member of the Aleppo Temple Shrine, a 51-year member of Wyoming Lodge AF&AM, and over 50-year member of the First Congregational Church in Melrose. Herb also served as Corporator for Melrose Savings Bank and, years later, he retired as Director of MASSBANK.
Herb was intelligent, respectful and always accepting of others. His first joy was his family but second came a love for farming. In his free time, Herb enjoyed golfing, camping and, most of all, tending to his 16-acre farm in Andover where he grew many vegetables. Herb was a strong willed, independent man who took great pride in completing jobs himself whether on the farm, in the yard or around the house.
Above all else, Herb was a dedicated and loving family man. With his wife Nancy, he enjoyed trips to Disney World with their children and grandchildren, winter vacations to the “ABC Islands” Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, and celebrated their 50th anniversary with a European river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Herb and Nancy visited many historic sites and forts together over the years and were frequent visitors, at Herb’s request, to the Gettysburg Battlefield.
With his family, he enjoyed time away from work at their cottage in Kennebunkport, Maine. Many years and many happy memories were made walking on Goose Rocks beach, going for a swim and spending time together as a family. Herb’s dedication and love for his family will live on in their hearts.
Herb was the beloved husband of Nancy (Crane) Schurian with whom he shared 56 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Susan B. Dillon and her husband Pete of Topsfield, Bobby Schurian of North Billerica and Cory Schurian and his wife Maré of Long Beach, Calif. He was the loving brother of the late Anna Ruggiera and Bernhard Schurian. He was the cherished grandfather of Mackenzie and Michaela Dillon of Topsfield. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor and celebration of Herb’s life for a Memorial Service at the First Congregational Church, 121 West Foster St., Melrose on Saturday, July 2, at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions in Herb’s memory be made to New England Pediatric Care, 78 Boston Rd., North Billerica MA 01862 or to Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, 801 Roeder Rd., Ste. 750, Silver Spring MD 20910.
For online tribute, directions or condolences, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
