In memory of our friend John Hurley who passed away on Sept. 4, 2025

Dear John,

From the moment we met, you brought wisdom, humor, and heart into the Yes, And…eXercise! circle. You were one of the first to step into both improv and Cinema Therapy (back when it was still “Day One”), and you immediately showed everyone what it meant to say yes, and to life in the face of Parkinson’s. Your presence always lifted the room. Your generosity lifted me.

Robert with John in Oct. 2023 before the Within Our Hands conference at the University of Maryland.

I’ll never forget the tremendous gift of you flying down to Austin for our YAX F iT! presentation. I know it wasn’t easy, but you did it—because that’s who you are. And when you made sure I was the keynote at the Within Our Reach conference at the University of Maryland, not just once but twice, it was another act of faith and friendship that I will always carry with me. You’ve been a champion not just of me, but of this work, of our community, and of the belief that stories can free us from the prisons we face.

Through your writing, you’ve given us images that will live forever: the Caribbean cruise of your Ordinary World, the train wreck of your diagnosis, the tightrope whispering What if?, the angels brushing their wings across your back, the demons rising in the cave of The Ordeal, and the Reward of the candle's flame that could never be extinguished. You even named yourself what you are—an Escapee.

Your mythic pantheon is not just for you, John; it’s for all of us. You’ve shown us how to face fear, doubt, and even death with the conviction that the soul’s flame endures.

And through it all, you’ve never lost your humor. Your immense spirit of play, joy, and love shows up in every pun, every laugh, every silly character and moment you’ve shared. We'll continue to Jam for Joy in your honor. You remind us that wisdom is not dour or distant—it’s playful, it’s human, it’s alive. You’ve taught me, and so many others, that it’s possible to feel fully, to love fully, and to engage fully in life, even with Parkinson’s riding along.

John, I want you to know how deeply grateful I am—for your friendship, for your trust, for your support of Yes, And…eXercise!, and for the example you set. You’ve lived the Hero’s Journey not as an abstract idea but as a daily practice: facing demons, finding blessings, lifting your flag into the wind, and bringing your gifts back to others.

In short: I love you. You are my friend, my teacher, my ally, my fellow traveler. Thank you for walking this path with me.

With love,

Robert

Join us for a special "Jam for John" on Tuesday, Sept. 9th at 10a pacific. This is our weekly improv class where John was a regular joyful participant. Register by clicking here.