Pliny Wesley Hunt, 74, of Furnace Road in Stockbridge died Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield following a courageous 2 year battle with cancer. Born September 29, 1939 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts he was the son of the late Leon Wesley Hunt and Gertrude "Louise" Brown Hunt. He was a graduate of the former Williams High School in Stockbridge, class of 1958. After being discharged from the Army Pliny went to visit his brother in California and ended up spending the next 30 years there. While living in California Pliny met his wife Linda. The couple was married on April 22, 1972 in Sleepy Hollow, CA. In January 1994 Pliny and Linda returned to the Berkshires to care for Pliny's elderly parents. Mr. Hunt most recently worked at Berkshire School in Sheffield, MA as a security guard for about seven years until leaving this past year due to his health. He had also worked as the compactor operator at the Stockbridge transfer station. Pliny had retired in 2002 from Fairview Hospital where he had been in maintenance. His first position upon moving to Massachusetts was at Savage Arms in Westfield. Pliny enjoyed being outdoors spending time hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Great Barrington Fish and Game Association, the Stockbridge Sportsmen's Club as well as a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. With his warm personality he loved being around people. He participated in the Relay For Life a walk for the American Cancer Society. Pliny owned a 1953 Packard that he would drive in parades and was always honored when asked to drive for a friend's wedding. He was a member of the Housatonic Congregational Church where he served as a sexton for many years. He was a conscientious environmentalist who would collect bottles, cans, and copper wire. However, above all else Pliny cherished spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda Lydon Hunt at their home in Stockbridge, his children, Holly Hunt of Chico, CA, Bob Hunt and his wife Christi of Paso Robles, CA, PJ Hunt of Lee, MA, Darren Hunt and his wife Hilary of East Chatham, NY and Dolores Springstead and her husband Quintin of Stockbridge, MA. He also leaves his brother Russell Hunt and his wife Paula of Pt. Reyes, CA, along with six grandchildren, Justin, Emily, Logan, Sophia, Shelby and Quintin, Jr. Pliny was predeceased by his first wife Melissa McCabe. A service celebrating Pliny's life will be held on Monday, Sept. 29th at 10:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, the former Housatonic Congregational Church, 1089 Main St., Housatonic, MA, conducted by Rev. Belle Fox-Martin and Rev. Anne Alvord. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Pliny W. Hunt Memorial Fund through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to his family through www.finnertyandstevens.com
