Hugh W. Hunter

Hugh W. Hunter, 81, of 48 Chapel St., Gardner, died peacefully at home Tuesday, September 26th surrounded by his family.
Born in Harrison, ME on October 5, 1924, he was the son of Dr. William A. and Annie (Hughes) Hunter. Hugh's parents emigrated from Canada after the end of World War I during which time Dr. Hunter served in the Medical Corps of the Canadian Army at a field hospital in France. He practiced medicine in Maine until the depression when he took a job with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health at the Gardner State Hospital.
Hugh was a school teacher employed by the Narragansett School District for 18 years, retiring as Head of the Industrial Arts Department. He previously taught earth science at Mahar Regional High School in Orange for three years, worked at the former Thayer Mfg. Co. of Gardner for five years,and upon graduating from college, he worked in Starzynski's Polish Bakery for ten years. For many years, he and his wife Gladys owned and operated the Hunter Farm Ice Cream Stand on Chapel Street featuring homemade ice cream. It was a popular summer attraction in Gardner.
Mr. Hunter was a 1942 graduate of Gardner High School and received a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology from the University of Maine in Orono in 1950.
Hugh loved Gardner and believed in playing an active role in his community. He was elected to and served three terms on the Gardner City Council after which he was appointed to the Commission to promote Business and Industry. He also spent several years on both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Gardner Planning Board in addition to spending nine years representing Gardner on the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission. He was a member of the advisory committee for the Gardner High School and was a trustee of the Levi Heywood Memorial Library. Hugh was an active member and past president of both the board of the Visiting Nursing Association and the Greater Gardner Chapter #3237 of the AARP. He was a life member and past treasurer of the Gardner Golden Age Club, a life member of the Polish American Citizens Club and a life member and Jr. Vice Commander of the Polish American Veterans.
Mr. Hunter served in the U.S. Navy for three years as a radioman mostly in Winthrop, MA where his unit controlled the ship traffic in Boston Harbor. He received the American Area Ribbon and the Victory Medal.
Hugh enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, woodworking, dancing, traveling and especially loved all of his students.
He leaves his beloved "sweetieheart" Gladys S. (Starzynski) Hunter with whom he celebrated 57 years of marriage on June 18th of this year; 4 sons, Michael J. Hunter and wife Amy of Sudbury, John A. Hunter and wife Rose of San Rafael, CA, W. Anthony Hunter and wife Sharon of Gardner, Frank Z. Hunter and wife Lisa of Roswell, GA; 1 daughter, Victoria A. "Tory" Kazinskas and husband John of Gardner; 1 brother, Jack Hunter and wife Polly of Madawaska, ME; 7 granddaughters, Jennifer Pilotte, Cerissa Hutchinson, Stacey and Elizabeth Kazinskas, Laura, Bonnie and Katie Hunter; 5 grandsons, Alex Kamages, David, Hugh W. II, Peter, Jacky Hunter; a great-grandson Bradley Duffy; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, William Hunter and a sister, M. Annette Irwin.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 30th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner with a Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, 358 Pleasant St., Gardner. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Gardner.
Calling hours at the funeral home are Friday, September 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions maybe made to the Harrison Village Library PO Box 597, Harrison, ME 04040 and may be left at the funeral home.

Order Flowers