Richard George Hunter, Jr., 64 of Derry died Monday February 7, 2011 after a brief battle with cancer. Mr. Hunter was born March 31, 1946 in Hartford, CT, the son of the late Richard G., Sr. and Shirley (Haushulz) Hunter. Richard was raised and educated in East Hartford, and resided there prior to moving to southern NH, were he has resided for the past 42 years.
Mr. Hunter served in the US Army during the Vietnam War, and then served in combat again in Iraq in 2005, as a member of the Army National Guard. In all, he was a veteran of over 30 years, retiring as a Master Sergeant. Mr. Hunter was also employed for many years as a janitor for the Town of Derry.
He was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast, and was a member of the NH Patriot Guard Riders, and NH Chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. Mr. Hunter was also a member of the Masonic Lodge of Raymond. Richard was a NH State Representative and National Trainer for the Kairos Prison Ministry, an International organization that ministers to inmates and their families. He was also a longtime member of two Christian retreat programs, Cursillo and Tres Dias. Richard was also an active member of the First Parish Congregational Church of Derry, and a proud longtime member of AA. The greatest love of his life was for his family, whom he truly cherished.
In his life: members of the family include his wife of 9 years, Beth (Holbrook) Hunter of Derry, three sons, Kenneth Hunter and his wife Kelly of CA., Richard of NH, and Mark of NH, a daughter Boni Hunter of ME., two step children and their spouses, Sean and Kelly Hamilton and Julie and Joe Baronas, eight grandchildren Thomas Pickance, Jr., Paige Baronas, Bradley Hunter, Emily Pickance, Bailey Hamilton, Jordan Baronas, Halle Hamilton and Paul Hunter, three brothers, John, Larry and Jimmy Hunter, two sisters, Virginia Hunter and Reggie Kustwan, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Edward Hunter, and a sister, Pat McClellan.
There are no calling hours. Following cremation, a memorial service was held Saturday February 12th at 1pm at the First Parish Congregational Church of Derry, 47 E. Derry Rd., Derry, NH 03038. A springtime committal of his cremated remains with Military Honors will be held at the NH State Veterans Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Parish Church at the address above, or to Kairos Prison Ministry International 6903 University Avenue Winter Park, FL 32792. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry handled the arrangements.