Harry Hunt was laid to rest in Sandys Parish today and for many in this present-day society, his name is not household but for those around sport in the 1950s, Sixties and Seventies, the name Harry Hunt was synonymous with sporting excellence.

Harry Hunt was a man for whom sportsmanlike conduct was textbook while he competed with a fierce efficiency that needs to be emulated.

Not surprising, in the 20th century the name Hunt was legendary in the West End especially, but nationally as well as in cricket, football, softball and even baseball.

Harry’s father, Amon Hunt, was Somerset Cup Match captain, his uncle, Alma “Champ” Hunt, was considered among Bermuda’s greatest ever cricketers, while nephews Roger and Larry “Mussels” Hunt were national team stalwarts in football as part of the legendary Somerset Trojans. Niece Mikey Simons and wife Diane Hunt were stalwarts with softball’s Big Blue Machine.

Harry stood apart from his family and carved out a reputation for himself as a footballer and then later in softball and baseball. With the US Naval Base in Southampton in the 1940s, the American influence of baseball was alive and well at White Hill Field and the neighbouring communities.

As a youngster growing up in Somerset Bridge, “Uncle Harry” as many community youngsters adorably called him, was revered. Here was a man who before my time had trials with Major League Baseball.

To watch Harry Hunt at first base for Somerset Eagles was to witness an athlete on top of his game executing his role with sheer permission. “Safe Hands” Hunt was an understatement. Harry’s long reach because of wide pivot and long arm reach made an errant throw look tidy as his foot never left the bag together with the graceful, timely sweeping motion.

Somerset Eagles team-mate and captain Brenton Roberts reminded me? that Harry was also dependable and powerful at bat.

Away from the sporting ground, to know Harry Hunt was have witnessed a class act. My grandfather had a saying: “Apples don’t fall far from the tree” and the Harry Hunt like his father could also be found around the waters of Somerset Bridge tracking out to Whale Island.

Harry Hunt was a class act and, although we were not blood relatives — we are from the same community — I am proud to have called him “Uncle Harry”.

Cindy and I send our condolences out to his family and friends?.

Rest in Peace Harry Hunt

KIM SWAN