Douglas P. Hunter, 93, of East Greenwich, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2014. The beloved husband of 65 years to Lois N. Hunter, he was born in Providence, a son of the late William and Anne P. Hunter.
Doug graduated from Hope High School in 1939 and Rhode Island State College (URI) in 1943. He served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps in World War II from 1943 to 1947 in the China-Burma-India Theater. Following the war, Doug parlayed his love of people into a lifelong career in sales: first in the automobile business with W.C. Littlefield; then as a financial adviser with Investors Diversified Services; concluding as a licensed realtor, specializing in residential real estate.
He was the loving father of Carol Ann Fulton (Tom) of Atlanta; Leslie H. Gunther (Tom) of North Kingstown; & William C. Hunter (Susan) of Lincoln and the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren (Andrew H. McGinnis (Laura), Meghan E. Gunther, Lindsay A. Gunther, Jason W. Hunter, Sarah Sue Hunter, Shannon M. Mauro and Gianna M. Mauro) and six great-grandchildren. Doug was the dear brother of Elizabeth Ward of Barrington and the late William Hunter and was much loved by his nieces & nephews.
He made lasting friendships with his Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity brothers that endured for life, and regularly attended URI alumni reunions. Doug loved sailing with friends and family and enjoyed many wonderful sails around Narragansett Bay and Block Island with Lois on the “Gung -Ho”.
He was a member of the East Greenwich Yacht Club since the 1960's. Doug was an avid sports fan, a passionate bridge player, and a terrific dancer. He loved the Blue Angels, little necks on the half shell, Sunday drives along the shore, his Labrador retriever “Duke”, and Hershey kisses. His family was the centerpiece of his life and his greatest treasure. There was no family event too small for him to delight in celebrating. He never missed a Little League game, dance performance, school play, graduation, or birthday party and his great love and enthusiasm set a wonderful role model for his children and grandchildren. “Papa” was the greatest cheerleader any of his family could have wished for-and often the loudest, too. Doug was a devoted companion to Lois-theirs was a true love story for the ages. They raised their family with unreserved love and pride and blessed their children and grandchildren with their commitment to each other.
A memorial service celebrating Douglas's life will be held Friday, April 4th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 99 Peirce Street, East Greenwich, RI 02818 followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Luke's Episcopal Church would be appreciated.
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