Rob Gronkowski is one of many Bostonians mourning the loss of former New England Patriots cheerleader and CharityTeams founder, Susan Hurley, after her death earlier this month.
“We lost a good one over the weekend,” Gronkowski, 36, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, November 4, after Hurley’s family confirmed that she died on Saturday, November 1.
Hurley, who was a Patriots cheerleader in her 20s before founding CharityTeams, passed away after a four-year battle with ovarian cancer. She was 61.
Gronkowski, for his part, explained that Hurley knew him and his family “for a long time,” telling his followers, “She became a good friend of ours and supported our foundation more than words can express over the years.”
“But even beyond our team, Susan took care of so many charity teams for the Boston Marathon and their bibs, helping raise so much money to give back to charities,” he recalled. “She always did it out of love, her love of the game, her love of people, her love of helping others, and her love for the kids.”
Gronkowski, who was part of the Patriots organization as a tight end from 2010 to 2018, remembered Hurley as someone who “always had a smile on her face and the utmost positivity, staying an inspiration for runners and charities every single day, even while she was fighting cancer.”
The retired NFL player added, “Her strength and resilience were truly inspirational, and she will be greatly missed.”
Gronkowski further acknowledged, “Without Susan, there would be no Gronk Playground,” referring to his work with Hurley’s CharityTeams, Nation Youth Foundation and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation to open a state-of-the-art playground in Boston in August.
“I’m thankful that her legacy can live on through the playground, making a huge impact not only on all the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation kids she helped, but all the kids she continues to inspire every day,” he concluded, sharing photos from the park’s opening and time spent with Hurley.
Gronkowski’s longtime girlfriend and former Patriots cheerleader Camille Kostek also paid tribute to Hurley.
“I’m so gutted over this loss 💔 Susan was the definition of living a life with purpose and passion. She was walking sunshine,” Kostek, 33, wrote in the comments section of Gronkowski’s Instagram post. “Her light and kindness was felt by anyone who met her.”
The model added, “She was so passionate about you leaving your legacy behind in Boston with this playground, and now hers lives on there 🪽 I have loved watching you two take this playground from blueprints to the grand opening and I’ll forever cherish my last hug goodbye to her . You are so loved susan 🩵.”
Like Gronkowski, Hurley gave back to the city of Boston following her time with the Patriots. In 2008, Hurley established CharityTeams, helping nonprofits raise money through athletic events.
In addition to working with Gronkowski and his own nonprofit organization, Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, Hurley was known for her endeavors with the Boston Marathon. For 18 years, she trained runners and ran the “Superhero 17” event where charity runners dressed as superheroes.
Hurley is survived by her two children, Ryan and Max McGillivray, whom she shared with ex-husband David McGillivray.
