Obituary of Lawrence James Hunt

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Lawrence James Hunt, known to many as Lonce, at the Carbonear General Hospital after a brief illness at the age of 93.

After a life well-lived he leaves to mourn his loving wife of nearly 62 years, Agnes (nee O’Brien), and his proud son Steven and partner Charles Cox. Also leaving to mourn nieces Doreen Quinn (Richard), Lois Ouelette (Mike, deceased), Barbara Lilly (Wayne), Kristina Rhodes (Terry), and Michelle Finn (Sean), as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, especially Niall, Michael (Terri-Lynn), and Brian (Ashley), along with many other relatives in England.

Lonce was born and raised in Harbour Grace and is pre-deceased by his parents William and Maud. He was immensely proud of his mother’s British background as a World War I war bride, and he deeply respected his father’s contributions to that war as an officer in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

He was the youngest of four, and is pre-deceased by brothers Duncan (Marie), Walter (Anita), and Ray (June), as well as nephew Robert.

After apprenticing as a mechanic in Harbour Grace at the family-owned garage, he later worked at the American Naval Base in Argentia, working his way up to head mechanic in the body shop and made many life-long friends there.

In addition to building a house and raising a son with his wife, he greatly enjoyed trouting, hunting for birds, camping in Terra Nova and Backside Pond, cooking, winemaking, woodturning, and fixing or inventing all manner of gadgets that delighted others. He was a true MacGyver. He also built a cabin in Bristol’s Hope that was his favourite place to be for many summers and loved watching the whales, squirrels, and all kinds of birds, especially eagles.

He was also a proud, longstanding member of the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade for many years.

Recently, his vision started to fail but it didn’t hold him back from adapting to the challenges of living as full a life as possible. And right up to the end, he had a memory like a steel trap.

Special thanks to home support workers Denyce Fahey, Frances Murphy, Florence Winsor, Megan Smith, Courtney Thorne, and Abigail Parsons, as well as support nurse Renee Dobbin.

Thanks as well to Dr. Robert Farrell and the nurses on the 5^th floor of the Carbonear General Hospital, especially Ali MacLean.

Visitation at Noel’s Funeral Home, Harvey Street, Harbour Grace on Wednesday, September 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

An informal celebration of life will take place at Noel’s Funeral Home, Harvey Street, Harbour Grace on Thursday, September 18 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lonce’s name either to the Bristol’s Hope Historical Society, 119 Main Road, Bristol’s Hope, A1Y 0A7, or to the Harbour Grace Volunteer Fire Brigade, 596 Bannerman Street, Harbour Grace, NL, A0A 2M0.