George A. Hunt Sr.

ORANGE- George A. Hunt Sr., 83, of South Main Street and patriarch of the Hunt Farm, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Montague on September 2, 1937, he was the son of the late Ralph F. and Helen (Mealand) Hunt and was raised in Orange and attended New Salem Academy.

On January 25, 1957, George married Nan (Herk) who he had met during his teens in the hills of Warwick. They have enjoyed 63 years of marriage, raising their family and working their dairy farm.

George was very proud of his farm and has received many accolades over the years for the farm’s beauty in all four seasons, including being presented the Green Pastures Award at the Big E in 1994.

A member of the Franklin County Farm Bureau, George was also a Director of the Northampton Co-operative Auction and former President. He was also a Director of the Mass Co-operative Milk Producers Federation, served on ASCS, now FSA for 40 years. George was active in the Mass. Holstein Association, serving as President, Director, and attended many National Conventions, and served on the Orange Agricultural Commission. An active member of Dairymen For Quality Products, this enabled George and Nan to travel to England, Holland, and Germany, as well as throughout the United States to see different agricultural practices and making many friends along the way. Today, the Hunt Farm is over 500 acres used for growing corn and hay.

George was a Director of the United Co-op Farmers and the Animal Inspector for the Town of Orange. He received the New England Breeder’s Award in 2015 and the Northampton Co-op Auction President’s Award in 2015.

Hunt Farm has been a Century Farm since 1879.

Along with his family and farm life, George served as a Trustee of the New Salem Academy.

Always looking to improve the stability of the multi-generational farm, he had a 55 kilowatt solar array installed on their new metal barn roof which supplies the farm’s electricity for 9-10 months of the year.

George is survived by his loving and caring wife, Nan Hunt, of Orange; a son, George Hunt Jr. and his wife, Christina, of Orange; daughters, Carol Malnati and her husband, Vincent, of Walpole, NH, Susan Apteker and her husband, Robert, of New Salem, Patricia Garrigus and her husband, Peter, of Bryan, OH, and Annette Preece and her husband, Colin, of North Conway, NH.

George also leaves behind adoring grandchildren, Jessica Getty (Luke) of Hudson Falls, NY, James Hunt (Mary) of Geneva, NY, Heather Hunt of Enfield, CT, Emily McNamara (Jason) of Claremont, NH, Eric Malnati of Bozeman, MT, Kathleen Malnati of Brooklyn, NY, Hunter Apteker of Amherst, MA, Sophia Apteker and Natalie Apteker, both of New Salem, MA, Samuel Garrigus of Bryan, OH, Olivia Garrigus of Cincinnati, OH, Benjamin Garrigus of Columbus, OH, Abigail Preece, Andrew Preece and Amelia Preece, all of North Conway, NH; great grandchildren, Evelyn Getty, Beau Getty and Grant Getty, all of Hudson Falls, NY and Oliver McNamara of Claremont, NH; a brother, Ralph Hunt of New Salem; and many nephews and nieces.  George is survived by his brother in law, Tim Herk (Sandra) of Athol, and his sisters in law, Mariann Herk and Susan Herk, both of Orange, and Elaine Brown of Warwick.

There are no calling hours and services will be private.

Donations in George’s memory and commitment to helping others, can be made to the Athol Salvation Army, 107 Ridge Avenue, Athol, MA 01331.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

You may offer your sympathy online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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