Peter J. Hunt, loved traveling
Peter James Hunt, 72, passed away peacefully Monday, Feb. 11, 2019, surrounded by family at Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus in Milford, after a brief illness. Peter was born in Roselle Park, N.J., to the late Gerald and Virginia (Shea) Hunt.
A man of honor and integrity, Peter proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1964-68. He requested assignment to the Pacific Theater but instead was deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Discharged from active duty, he continued as a reservist in the Navy, and later the Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1995 after 31 years of military service. Upon retirement, he continued supporting the military by volunteering, along with his wife Chris, at the Dover Air Force Base Judge Advocate General legal office as witnesses to signings of legal documents for military personnel and their family members.
Before retiring, Peter and his family resided in Somerset County, N.J. He enjoyed an impressive civilian career as a corrections officer at the county jail, then as investigator for Consumer Affairs, ultimately retiring as an assistant superintendent of Weights and Measures after 33 years of service to Somerset. He also served as a veteran firefighter with the Watchung Fire Company #3 in Bound Brook, N.J.; and a rifle instructor and group committee leader with Bound Brook Boy Scout Troop 41, where both of his two sons finished as Eagle Scouts. As a father and mentor for the Bound Brook High School Robotics Team # 56, he helped to shape the legacy of the school as a formidable opponent in worldwide competition.
Peter was a past president of The New Jersey Weights and Measures Association. He was a retired member of the N.J. State Police Benevolent Association. He also was a member of various community organizations: Elks Lodge #138 and Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 2316 in Bound Brook, N.J., and American Legion Post 28, Millsboro. His national affiliations included the Guantanamo Bay Association, the Non-Commissioned Officers Association and The Retired Enlisted Association.
Peter and Chris retired to Milford, where he enjoyed a peaceful pace, commensurate with access to a nearby beach. He was an avid reader. He loved to travel, adding it was "the adventure of getting there" that he enjoyed the most. He and Chris spent the last 14 years of his life traveling around the world. With his laid-back manner and easygoing smile, he quickly made friends wherever they went.
Peter is survived by his wife, Christine "Chris" Hunt; two children, Jason Hunt (wife Nicole) of Las Vegas, Nev., and Ryan Hunt (wife Wendy) of Somerset, N.J.; and three grandchildren, Alexander, Bridget, and Joseph.
A memorial service will be conducted at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, at Berry-Short Funeral Home, 119 NW Front St., Milford. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro.
A Celebration of Life (For Pete's Sake!) will be held from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 20, at the Millstone Valley Fire Department, 2365 Amwell Road, Somerset, N.J. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Peter’s memory may be made to: Fisher House for Families of the Fallen, c/o TSgt. Stasia Smith, 220 Liberty Way, Dover Air Force Base, DE 19902 or www.fisherhouse.org.
