Harry Hunt was one of Aldergrove's finest

Photo by Liane Bisaillon

Harry Hunt was a photographer for the Aldergrove Star for over 25 years, and for even longer than that, he was an advocate and encourager of young people in sports. He was almost certainly the best-known person in Aldergrove, as was attested by the crowd at his memorial service on Sunday.

Harry Hunt demonstrated the finest elements of humanity in his 75 years. He cared about people, particularly young people; he did not betray confidences; he never stopped advocating for his home community of Aldergrove; and he worked until physically unable to do so. Even when dying of cancer and knowing he had just a little time left, he was pulling out the stops to make sure his family was fully taken care of.

And in addition to all that, he was an outstanding representative of the community newspaper industry which I have been privileged to be part of for the past 38 years. For the past 25 years, he has been a freelance photographer for the Aldergrove Star. A diverse collection of photos on display at his memorial service Sunday indicated just how talented he was.

Harry died on Nov. 7. His daughter Laura said Sunday that initially, the family had planned a small service. As they found out how just many people wanted to pay tribute to him, they gladly accepted help to organize what may be one of the largest events of its kind in Aldergrove in many years.

He was almost certainly the best-known person in Aldergrove, informally called “the mayor of Aldergrove” by many. His distinctive handlebar mustache was part of that recognition, along with the ever-present camera. However, had his personality been different, there would have been 50 people at his memorial service, instead of the 500 or more who packed the Aldergrove Community Secondary gym.

He genuinely loved people. In particular, he loved to encourage young people to participate in sports, because he knew from his own experience that it makes you a better person.

Here’s some sample comments from some of the people he encouraged, taken from Facebook.

Even after graduating from high school, Harry would remember us kids. Anytime I bumped into him in town, he was friendly and happy to chitchat. – From Jessica Nadine

Harry you will be missed by many. Thank you for supporting all us young punks who grew up in Aldergrove minor sports. RIP – From Paul Daley

Our chats at LSS when I was just a stupid teenager...I will never forget. You were a great man and you will be truly missed. – From Chere Spencer

Harry Hunt was a very unique man. Many times he was the ONLY one who photographed a kid doing something great! A kind heart we crossed paths with and reminds me that yes it does take an entire village to raise a child. He took the time to support and encourage young people. The kind of person we always need but rarely come across! – From Pat Stockbrooks

Those of us at the memorial service heard how he took photos of every sport taking place in Aldergrove, and in particular was fully involved in high school sports, at first backing the Langley Secondary Saints and then the Aldergrove Secondary Totems. This support went as far and deep as travelling on tours with the girls’ rugby team to Europe.

It is fitting that the championship trophy for high school senior girls AA rugby is named in his honour.

He didn’t just go to the fields, rinks and gyms to take photos. He befriended kids and parents. He gave away many copies of the photos he’s taken. He badgered Star editor Kurt Langmann to run as many photos as possible, and he worked hard to take photos of people of all ages – from raw beginners to the most polished senior secondary athletes and junior hockey players. His deep connection to the sporting community was emphasized by a variety of speakers from various Aldergrove sports organizations on Sunday.

Harry was the recipient of numerous service awards in the community and two years ago, he was humbled by the community support at the Harry Hunt appreciation night, which attracted a standing room-only crowd at Aldergrove Arena.

Harry knew a lot of adversity in his life. He and his wife Betty came to Aldergrove in 1967 to operate a hog farm, but in the early 1980s, when the bottom fell out of the hog business, he and Betty went to work for the school district as custodians. He was also a bricklayer. The Hunts also had to sell a portion of their 20-acre farm.

In the schools where they worked, Harry and Betty were far more than custodians. They were confidants to generations of young people and likely made the high school experience bearable for many. The large number of young people at Sunday’s service was a powerful tribute to the difference they made.

Betty predeceased him and he missed her terribly.

After his passing, Langley Township council voted unanimously to rename a sports field at Aldergrove Athletic Park the Harry Hunt field. A plaque telling a bit more about him is also located there. Somehow,  news of the renaming was kept secret right up to the end of Sunday’s memorial service, even though a sign anchored in concrete had been put in place.

Frank Bucholtz photo

Harry Hunt's son Bob and daughter Laura, and two of his grandchildren, join Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese and Councillor Charlie Fox in unveiling a sign renaming one of the Aldergrove Athletic Park fields in his memory.

When Mayor Jack Froese announced the renaming, it was fittingly met with a standing ovation. The sign was then unveiled by Harry’s family. It is a most fitting tribute to a man who spent his life making other people feel just a little bit better.

People who spend decades working for community newspapers are truly committed to their cities and towns. I’ve known dozens of them over the years. However, Harry’s example of community service is one of the most outstanding I’ve ever witnessed. It was a privilege to know him.