At the age of 87, James Cardiff Hunter, “Jim,” passed away on Thursday, November 5th, 2020 at the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa. Jim is survived by Marlene (nee Smith) his wife of 53 years, his son Scott (Erica Lee) and his daughter Pamela (Steven Muegge). “Poppa” adored his grandchildren, Charlotte, Mitchell, Erin and Andrew. Jim is also survived by his brother Douglas (Nanci) and his sister Elinor (late Barry Phillips). Predeceased by two young siblings, Norma-Jean and David and his parents, James Alexander Hunter and Janet (Jean) Esther McDonald.
Jim was proud of being born in Ottawa. He attended Lisgar Collegiate and Carleton University. He took courses at several other universities in Ontario and completed Teacher’s College in Peterborough. Jim taught for a short time at the Guelph Reformatory and at Base Borden, Ontario, but spent the majority of his career teaching Visual Arts at Banting Memorial High School in Alliston, Ontario. He chose to raise his family in Barrie and returned to live in Ottawa 3 years ago to be closer to his children and their families.
Jim loved to share his stories of his football pursuits and the adventures of his youth around Ottawa. Although his family heard the stories numerous times, he enjoyed talking with new people about his experiences; the famous flipped laundry delivery truck from his parent’s business, Hunter’s Cleaners, or the day he was fired in the morning by his mother and re-hired in the afternoon by his father on possibly more than one occasion. He never missed a chance to reminisce about the Canadian Championship won by the Peterborough Orfuns (Ontario Rugby Union - O.R.F.UN) Football Club in 1955 with Jim “The Rifle'' Hunter as the quarterback. The glory days of his youth. These are some of the amazing tales that filled him with happiness.
Jim loved the outdoors. Spending time with his family at the cottage in Ladysmith, Quebec was his favourite way to pass the summer before school started in the fall. His aspirations to paint the landscapes and sunsets coupled with his handiness and hard work to maintain the property kept his mind and body in shape well into his golden years. His premature silver hair and great health made it hard for people to predict his true age. His sharp mind and amazing memory of facts impressed us all during those nights playing Trivial Pursuit and it made him impossible to beat. For your information, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest navigable body of water. Of course, he got this question right!
A proud supporter of all Ottawa CFL football franchises over the years and his favourite NHL team the Ottawa Senators. These sports fueled his soul. He was well suited to coaching football at Banting Memorial High School because teaching young people was one of his many passions. Many people learned to throw a football because of Jim. He taught his son and daughter the “old-fashioned way” to downhill ski at Snow Valley and Mont-Tremblant. He used Johnson Lake to instruct many teenagers to water ski behind a small classic mahogany boat that he restored by himself. His voice could be heard over the roar of the engine advising them to “keep your tips up!” Always a coach, always a teacher. He enjoyed being with people to teach, learn and share a laugh.
Special thanks to Dr. Peter Mackley, the LHIN Organization and the staff of the Queensway Carleton for their care of Jim and their kindness to Marlene, Scott and Pam during this difficult time.
Dementia took him away from us long before his death. Donations to the Dementia Society are welcomed in Jim’s memory.
Digital Guestbook
Tony Dupuis
Garry Boos
Mr. Hunter was a wonderful person and teacher. He taught me in the late 70 ‘s at Base Borden and was a much respected teacher. The world is a better place because of him.
Katherine Stewart
Mr. Hunter was one of my favourite teachers at both BBCI and Banting Memorial. He had a gift for drawing out those like me who didn't find it easy to express ourselves. I still have the two clay pots and a bust that I made in his art class at BBCI with his encouragement. I equally enjoyed the history class I took with him in Banting a couple of years later. My condolences to his family.
I was lucky enough to have Mr. Hunter as a Football coach and a History Teacher in High School at Base Borden Collegiate Institute in CFB Borden before the group down at Banting "stole him away". He probably couldnt get over all his great football players graduating at BBCI. He was such a good teacher but a better Human Being. He was always there for us ... His pride for Ottawa was always there - Rough Riders - Russ Jackson. His stories included how he remembered this little kid proud Canadian Kid of Lebanese background was always hanging around ... being part of the gang. He was very proud of Paul Anka.
Thanks Mr. Hunter and I know that the BBCI Gang of Teachers we had that are now in Heaven have a greatful bunch of Students always looking up to the sky and saying "Thanks for the Memories"