Beloved husband, father, friend, teacher, writer, gardener, advocate, connector, Tucson enthusiast, and grateful human, Joshua Mark Hurand, age 48, died peacefully at his home in Tucson, AZ on May 6, 2021 surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Lansing, MI on April 15, 1973 to Gary and Carol Hurand, he was the first grandchild of both his paternal and maternal families. He graduated from Carman-Ainsworth High School in 1991, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at The University of Michigan, a Master of Educational Psychology degree at The University of Arizona, and a Master of Social Work degree from Arizona State University. Josh worked as a middle school Spanish teacher and then a psychotherapist at the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration Healthcare System prior to fulfilling his dream of establishing a private therapy practice, called Strategic Healing. Professionally and personally he positively impacted and helped hundreds of students, clients, friends and family.
Throughout his life, Josh had a dynamic presence and was often referred to as “the ultimate people connector”. He embraced life and relationships with passion, commitment, enthusiasm, energy and love. He was an inspiration to those who knew and loved him, and he openly shared his love and gratitude even as he endured the pains of his terminal cancer diagnosis.
Josh embraced his Tucson community, and was proud of the life he established there. He served on numerous boards of agencies and organizations, most recently the boards of the University of Arizona Poetry Center Foundation and the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.
He is survived by Ashley (McLaren), the love of his life whom he married on November 8, 2014. He is also survived by their beloved children, Noah Avram, age 5, and Eliza Barbara, age 3.
Also left to cherish his memory are his parents, Gary and Carol; adored sister, Sara (Elie Weiss), nephews Eitan and Jonah Weiss, grandmother, Gloria Levine, father-in-law Mark McLaren, brother-in-law Jon McLaren, and sister-in-law Kirsten McLaren; aunts and uncles, Lynne, Robert (Katchen Schibilsky), David (Martha Salyers), Sally, Jeffrey (Barbara) Hurand, Trudy Weiss (Arthur), and Harriet Lewis; loving cousins, Aaron Weiss (Maureen Sullivan), Rachel Weiss Berger (Rabbi Benjamin), Leah Weiss (Alex Cohen), Annie Mandelkern (Kenny), Deborah Fixell (Ethan), Shoshana, Gates (Megan Campisi), Miles, Clay, Ashley, Jennifer, Reyna, Jordan Spain, and Nicola Reeves (Tom); many close friends and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his beloved grandparents, Arthur and Bess Hurand, and Eugene Levine.
In lieu of flowers and food to the home, the family suggests a charitable donation in Josh’s memory:
- The Hurand Connection Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona – a charitable fund established by Josh, centered in the Jewish community, to make connections through art and creative programming between people and groups to inspire cultural healing
- National Prostate Cancer Foundation
- University of Arizona Poetry Center
- Or any charity of your choice
A private graveside service will be held at Machpelah Cemetery, Flint, MI. An additional memorial service will be held later in Tucson, AZ.
Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek
