Hunter J. Melanson

BRAINTREE- Hunter J. Melanson, 28, of Commercial Street and formerly of Athol, died unexpectedly on July 2, 2026.

Born in Concord, MA 0n November 28, 1997, he was the son of Ann Melanson and lived in Ayer several years before moving to Athol. He graduated from Montachusetts Regional Vocational School in Fitchburg in 2016. Hunter went on to earn a degree from the New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, VT.

Hunter was a talented chef and worked for several restaurants and had lived in Braintree the past three years.

Hunter loved spending time with his family and friends. He enjoyed skateboarding, Lil Wayne and playing video games.

Hunter is survived by his mother and father, Ann Melanson-Dejackome and Eric Dejackome Sr. of Clarksville, New Hampshire; sister Kelly Dejackome of Colebrook, New Hampshire; a half sister, Tehlha Zelukiewicz of Maine; brother, Eric Dejackome Jr. and his husband Hudson Carlson and their girls Audrie and Emma; maternal grandparents, Norman and Rose Melanson of Winchendon; paternal grandmother, Peggy Dejackome of Orange; aunts and uncles, Eugene and Brenda Melanson of Gardner, and Denise Melanson of Maine; cousins, Monique Daneault and her husband Adam of Gardner along with several others. He also leaves his girlfriend, Tessa Yorks of Braintree; along with best friends Jacob Gagnon of Boston and Dahlia Wright of Texas; and many friends.

Hunter was predeceased by aunt Diane Melanson in 2009, cousin Luc Melanson in 2011, grandfather Lynn Dejackome in 2018 and aunt Cheryl Skiffington in 2024.

There are no calling hours.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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

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