Walter L. Hunt

Boston – Walter 'Walt' Hunt had many great memories and stories of his childhood growing up on a dairy farm in Bethlehem, Connecticut and they are memories he carried with him all his life until his death on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at his home in Boston. He was 86.

Walter L. Hunt was born on November 29, 1929 in Waterbury, Connecticut. He was a son of the late Warren L. and Lillian (Osborn) Hunt. He attended Bethlehem elementary school and graduated from Watertown High School in 1948.

Walt attended the University of Connecticut but decided to enlist in the Air Force. After receiving an Honorable Discharge as Staff Sergeant in 1953 he was assigned to Mitchel AFB, NY as a reservist. He then returned to UCONN where he became a member of Alpha Chi and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in the School of Business Administration.

Walt joined The First National Bank of Litchfield in 1972 and retired in 1997 as Executive Vice President. The local newspaper stated "he gave the kind of service to the community that James Stewart represented in the classic Christmas holiday movie "It's a Wonderful Life". Walt loved his job and was quoted as saying "Dealing with numbers is my least favorite part of the job. I like the people. I never met a customer I didn't like". He especially liked giving a first loan to a young person and would make sure they understood their responsibility.

Walt believed in giving back to his community. Some of his volunteer efforts prior to moving to Boston included: Chairman of the Central Naugatuck Regional Planning Agency, Chair of the Bethlehem Planning Commission, Chair of the Inland-Wetlands Commission of Bethlehem, Co-Chair of the Connecticut Rural Development Council, Board member of the Bethlehem Historic District Commission, Board member of the Old Bethlehem Historical Society and a volunteer at the museum.

Walt also liked to have fun. Skiing was a passion from the time he was young. He and his wife, Valerie, visited almost every area in New England, a few out West and the mountains of France, Switzerland and Italy. His favorite was Mohawk Ski area in Cornwall, CT. He would buy a season pass and spend every free moment there. He and Valerie also liked to travel and visited many countries with those in Asia being some of his favorites.

After living 72 years in the 'Little Town of Bethlehem' everyone was surprised that Walt was going to retire to downtown Boston. The first thing he did was join the local organizations as a volunteer. He became a member of the Fenway CDC and the Fenway Civic Association where he served as Secretary. He also served on the Board of the Berklee Neighborhood Improvement Committee and was a neighborhood liaison to the Red Sox. He volunteered his gardening services at St. Clement's Eucharistic Shrine and made sure the City of Boston, Red Sox and DCR kept his neighborhood in good condition.

A couple of highlights of his 15 years in Boston were the party held at St. Clement's given by the Fenway neighborhood to thank him for his years of service and the opportunity to throw a first pitch to David Ortiz at a Red Sox game. Walt loved living in Boston but he wanted to go back to Bethlehem for his final rest and he will with services that will be held privately at the convenience of his family.

Walt is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Valerie of Boston. He leaves his children, Keith Hunt, Husband David LeVangie of S. Boston, MA, Karl Hunt, wife Fran of New Milford, CT, Gregg Hunt of Bethlehem, CT; his former wife, June (Gisselbrecht) Davis of Henderson, NV; his step-children, Peter Dauten, Jr., wife Patricia of Litchfield, CT, Wendy Dawson, husband Neil of Kaufman, TX, James Dauten, Woodbury, CT; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; his brothers, Richard Hunt, wife Joan of Spring Hill, Florida and Raymond Hunt, wife Libby deceased of Asheville, NC.

Memorials in his name may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472; Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 Burlington Mall Road, Suite 450, Burlington, MA 01803-4129.