Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to use my Member’s statement to pay my respects to a Hay River resident who recently passed away.
James Kenneth Hunt passed away, surrounded by his family, in Hay River this past Sunday. A celebration had marked his 90th birthday last year and a celebration and remembrance of his life will mark what would have been his 91st birthday in a service planned for Hay River tomorrow.
Ken had a full and interesting life. He started his career with the Hudson’s Bay and served in posts as diverse as Ross River and Lutselk’e in a time when the Bay manager was everything from the recorder of the local weather to a stand-in medical care provider until help arrived.
He met his beautiful wife, Peggy, on a blind date set up by friends and it had to be love, as she joined him in Clyde River where they had their first home together. They had four children: Lynn, Jimmy, Bruce and Barb. He is predeceased by his wife in 2002 and his eldest son, Jimmy, in 2009.
Ken Hunt eventually made his way to Hay River in 1955 and that became home. He was the longest-serving member of the Hay River Volunteer Fire Department and attended the most recent firemen’s ball just this past December. His work career was varied because he was someone who made sure he was always busy and would step up to the needs and opportunities that came his way.
He finished his formal career as a Fisheries and Oceans inspections officer and that’s where I first met him. I was 18 at the time and he never hesitated to share his opinion on just about anything. I typed his weekly handwritten reports, which he always signed J.K. Hunt, and that was the name I fondly referred to him by.
Even by that time he had had some heart problems. He carried his nitro pills in his uniform shirt pocket and that was 35 years ago, so I’m amazed at how active and involved he remained.
They say that age is a state of mind. If that’s the case, then Ken Hunt never considered himself old. Never having known how to dance myself, but attending social functions that he attended, I loved to watch him dance; so light on his feet and such a gentleman.
He leaves behind a legacy of dedication to family and strong community service. This is now reflected in the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted.
With the greatest of admiration and respect I will say that I don’t think Ken would have won a congeniality contest and he had a famous licence plate on his van that would prove that. But he was good people with a strong presence and he formed an integral part of the fabric of Hay River. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.
Please join me in sending our sincere condolences to the Hunt family of Hay River.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. My sincere condolences go on to the Hunt family, that’s for sure. The honourable Member for Tu Nedhe, Mr. Beaulieu.
