Senator Stuart Hunt Sr.

Senator Stuart W. Hunt, Sr.

1927 - 2014 BRATTLEBORO Senator Stuart W. Hunt, Sr. passed away peacefully on Dec. 9, 2014 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Stuart was born at home on Myrtle Street in Brattleboro on Apr. 28, 1927. He was the son of Dewey W. and Ione (Pearson) Hunt. He was raised and educated in Brattleboro graduating from Brattleboro High School (BHS) class of 1945. While in High School, he excelled in athletics. At graduation, he was the recipient of the Stolte Memorial Cup honoring the best all-around athlete. Following High School, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, he attended Arnold College in Bridgeport, Conn, graduating in 1952 with a B.A. in Education. From 1952 to 1959, Stuart was employed as a Physical Education teacher and Coach at Brattleboro High School. He was a Football Line Coach serving under Head Coach, Andy Natowich and was the Freshman Basketball Coach. In addition to coaching, he was instrumental in starting the Auto Mechanics Training Program at the Vocational Center at the high school and was one of the founders of the Brattleboro Little League Post 5 program. For 38 years, Stuart was an agent for Nationwide Insurance Co. and a licensed Real Estate Broker. He retired in 1982. Stuart was a resident of Guilford, Vt. for 59 years. Over the years he was very active in town and state government serving as a Selectman, Trustee of the Guilford Fire Department, Trustee of the Guilford Fair Association, Justice of the Peace, Member of the Board of Civil Authority, Representative to the State Legislature, Windham County Senator and as Legislative Liasion under Governor Richard Snelling. Throughout his life he loved animals including his teams of work horses but most especially his many German Shepards. He shared his love of the outdoors and fishing and hunting with his three sons and enjoyed many good times with family and friends at his hunting camp in Jamaica, Vt. Of his many hobbies, he loved and appreciated collecting and re-building antique cars. He had an extensive knowledge of Model A and Model T Fords. Stuart was a voracious reader always having many good books going at once. He loved books on U.S. History and politics, especially the Civil War and World War 11 eras. He was extremely proud of being a Native Vermonter and an old-time Conservative Republican and considered it an honor to have represented his constituency over the years. He was a 68 year member of the American Legion Post 5 and a Lifetime member of the Brattleboro Elks BPOE#1499. On May 8, 1953 he married Barbara Malcolm at the First Baptist Church in Brattleboro. Besides his devoted wife of 61 years, he leaves four children. Stuart Hunt, II and fiance, Jill of Dummerston, Douglas and wife, Cathy of Guilford, Thomas and wife, Emmie of Manchester, NH and Jane (Hunt) DeCosmo and husband, Bill of Brattleboro. Six grandchildren: Peter John of Florida, Katie (Hunt) O'Brian of Vernon, Joseph Hunt and Samuel Hunt of Brattleboro, Rick Heathwaite of Greenfield, Mass. and Zach Heathwaite of Boston, Mass. Great-granddaughters Bailey and Islah Jane Hunt, Abby and Avery Heathwaite and Great-grandsons Liam O'Brian and Averry Hunt, his Sister, Glenice Ingalls of Westfield, Mass., Sisters-in-law, Ann Kempf and Ina Cassidy. As well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Norman E. Hunt on Sept. 24, 2012. SERVICES: A memorial service will be held Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the American Legion Post 5, Linden St. Brattleboro, Vt Donations in Stuart's memory can be made to The Andy Natowich Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Kathy Rouleau, BUHS 131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, Vt 05301, the Guilford Volunteer Fire Dept. c/o Jared Bristol, 223 Lowry Rd, Guilford, Vt 05301 or The Brattleboro Little League, c/o David Cyr, American Legion Post 5, Linden St. Brattleboro, VT 05301