Obituary of J. Richard Hunter

J. Richard "Dick" Hunter, age 90, of Tafton died Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at Ellen Memorial Health Care Center, Honesdale. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Margaret (Weitz) Hunter, in 2012. Born February 21, 1924, in New York City, NY, he was the son of the late Earle Leslie and Helen Wight (Wheeler) Hunter. He attended Friends Seminary, where his father taught for 50 years. He then attended Cornell University before enlisting in the US Army in 1942. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. After the war, he returned to school and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from City College of New York. Dick worked as a dairy farmer, teacher, and carpenter and was a true "Jack of All Trades." He was a Palmyra Pike Township Supervisor for 24 years and a 19 year member of the township planning commission. He was a life member and past secretary of the Tafton Fire Company. He was also honored as a Director Emeritus of the Hawley Public Library after serving on the library's board for years. He was a passionate rail enthusiast and was the caretaker of the Pioneer Coach at the Hawley Library. He had his own 1" scale railroad with both a steam engine and a diesel locomotive. For many years, he offered rides to children, including campers at Camp Oneka, which featured him and his train in its pamphlet. Dick also loved hiking the mountains of Maine, as well as traveling abroad with his beloved wife, Margaret. Mr. Hunter was a member of Paupack United Methodist Church where he was also a member of the Church Choir. He was also a member of the Scranton Singers Guild and Wayne Choralaires. He is survived by one daughter: Helen Katharine Hunter of Ithaca, NY; one son: George Oliver Hunter and his wife Donna of Tafton; a granddaughter: Jessica Lee Hunter of New Haven, CT; a grandson: Eric Richard Crouthamel of Milwaukee, WI; one brother: James Hunter of Corning, NY; two sisters: Anne Hunter of Brooklyn, CT, and Margaret DiGregorio of Park Ridge, NJ; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, David Hunter. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, August 19, at 12 Noon at Teeters' East Chapel, 505 Church St., Hawley, PA, with Rev. Dr. Jeffery Rarich officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11 AM until the start of the Memorial Service. Inurnment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Paupack. Memorials may be made to Hawley Public Library, 103 Main Ave., Hawley, PA 18428 or Tafton Fire & Rescue, PO Box 5, Tafton, PA 18464.