Daniel Manwaring Hunter

Pittsfield, Mass. - Daniel Manwaring Hunter, 70, of Pittsfield, Mass., has left the building. He got into the big Mustang convertible in the sky on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, at Hillcrest Commons Nursing Home.

He is survived by his two daughters, Abby Hunter of Pittsfield, who is expecting his newest granddaughter and Anne Hunter of Canton. In addition, he is remembered by his son-in-law or as Dan would call him, "can you get me some coffee?", Carlos Mesa of Canton; and his two grandchildren, Gabriel and Simone Mesa, who cracked up when playing board games with their grandpa; his sister, Cindy Moran and her husband, Mike, of Griswold; and many nieces and nephews who also survive Dan.

He was married during the 1970s to Susan Boothroyd Hunter, his girls' mother, who always remained his friend. His friends were also his family, and there is a host of them far and wide.

Dan confidently expressed his first opinion at his birth in New London, July 19, 1944, the son of late Ruth (Spencer) Hunter and Andrew Provins Hunter. His brother Jim predeceased him.

He grew up in Niantic, sailing and chasing girls. In 1962, he graduated from New London High School. He was a Vietnam Era veteran and served in the U.S. Coast Guard after graduation where travelled the world and literally sailed the seven seas, including working at an icy station in Antarctica. After the service, Dan moved to the Hartford area. Dan wore wingtip dress shoes for the 30 years he worked in the insurance industry to support his girls, although he would have preferred Crocs.

Dan had a robust sense of humor from the start and also a passion for being a good father. He single-handedly raised his daughters with love and freedom. He was an active member of Parents Without Partners where he loved to go to dances and hold raps (chat groups, not MC Hammer stuff) with his friends. His specialty was writing funny clues for car rallies. For several years he was the editor-in-chief of the PWP newsletter.

Dan cared about community and supported Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as well as the Clara Barton Camp because of what they had done for his girls. He also kept his home open to all who needed it, including hosting foreign exchange students from multiple countries. He loved camping and just sitting by the fire talking with friends, old and new. Cooking up crazy business ideas with his brother was also a campfire pastime. They had plenty to discuss as he was the sole Democrat in his family and was passionate about progressive causes.

After the turn of the millennium, Dan began to split his time between Connecticut and Florida. In the sunshine state, he became an avid Everglades hockey fan, which helped him deal with the loss of his beloved Whalers.

Since 2008, Dan had been in intensive nursing care on a ventilator. You'd think that would slow him down but no. During his time he became the editor-in-chief of the Hillcrest resident newsletter, started an Al-Anon group, and was the most politically active resident in the building. He also put up ever changing walls of humor around his room. At one point there were so many funny jokes taped to his door there was concern about the fire marshal! You can still follow him on Facebook and see some of his saucy humor.

In lieu of flowers, Dan would hope that you do an unexpected act of kindness for someone who needs some cheer. He would pay for someone's gas at a gas station or just sit and listen to a stranger who needed tell his or her story. You could also consider a memorial donation to Hillcrest Commons, 169 Valentine Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201, where he was cared for with kindness by the staff, especially his friends in the respiratory department. If you send it in as a whole bunch of one dollar bills, they'd really wonder what kind of work Dan's friends did.

Those who would like to see his funny posters or sit with Dan one last time may come to visiting hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16, at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA. Funeral services will also be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, at Dery Funeral Home with a reception to follow at Mazzeo's in Pittsfield.