JAMES HUNT

HUNT--James E., Sr.,

of New York City and Lake Placid, New York died peacefully on Sunday, July 16. He spent his last days at home with his beloved wife Carole and in the company of his adoring children and grandchildren. Jim began life on a farm in Dayton, Ohio on December 14, 1930. He was raised in the depression era Midwest and would recount with mirth stories of chores and newspaper routes. He earned his BS from the University of Cincinnati. During a summer job at NCR Corp., Jim was noticed by the company's Chairman, who offered him a position in New York City at graduation. Jim arrived in New York in 1952 and over the next 65 years built his career, his family, and a wide range of friendships and interests here. Jim spent over 20 years at NCR, eventually running the New York business. He was recruited by executive search firm Russell Reynolds, and he served as a principal there for nearly a decade. He then partnered with William Howe to create his own firm, which became one of the industry's most highly respected boutique search operations. He served on the Board of Midas Management for many years. He met Carole in 1958 at the tennis matches, an auspicious beginning to a lifelong union. They were wed in 1960 and lived together happily since, in the same home for most of that time. They were constant companions, the best of friends, and together known for their warmth, joyfulness and integrity. Jim was always grateful for his good fortune and that is part of what made him so optimistic and fun. He was cherished by many for the bright twinkle in his eye, his humor, good nature, constancy, sincerity and loyalty. He loved golfing and shooting with his friends, tennis, backgammon, music, particularly Faure and Mozart, cooking, and naughty jokes. He disliked pretense and any barber who thought to clip his bushy eyebrows. He loved his clubs, and was a longstanding member at The Apawamis Club, Manursing Island Club, The River Club of New York, where he served on the Board and ran the Food and Wine Committee, and the University Club, where he sat on the Council, the House Committee and the Membership Committee. He had a private but steadfast faith and has been involved with the Church of the Heavenly Rest for decades. More than anything, he loved his family. He was always a good listener, a strong advocate, a setter of high standards, a force of equanimity and harmony, and a great participant in family games of charades and dictionary. His children and grandchildren adored him and loved to be with him. Jim is survived by Carole, his beloved wife of 57 years, his children James (Edwina), Jeffrey (Dariane) and Stephanie (Stephen Trevor), and his eight grandchildren, Alastair, Marina, Cosmo, Alexi, Nicola, Averell, Isabel and Olivia. A family service will be held and his ashes returned to the earth in Lake Placid. His life will be celebrated by family and friends at The Church of the Heavenly Rest in the fall.