Eldon "Don" Hunt

Eldon “Don” Clark Hunt, Jr., passed away on the morning of March 11, 2023 at his home in Newcastle.  Born in Damariscotta on Valentines Day 1949, he was the fourth of five sons born to Eldon C. Hunt and Ethyl Beryl Hodgkins Hunt.

He grew up on the family farm, attended local schools and graduated from Lincoln Academy as a varsity athlete in 1967.  He attended the University of Southern Maine at Gorham, class of 1972, where he was a member of Phi Mu Delta and played on the college’s baseball team.

Following his graduation, in August of 1972 he married his wife of 50 years, Christine Kirkland, and together they raised their three daughters.  He worked for the family lumber business, Hunt Brothers Lumber, and later started his own business, Don Hunt, Inc.

Don, also known as “Junior” by those close to him, enjoyed hunting with the “Hunt Rangers” and friends.  He enjoyed activities on Damariscotta Lake throughout his lifetime.  Don was an active participant in the local men’s softball league, playing the position of catcher for “The Locker Room” and “Wright’s Store”.  He later coached his childrens’ softball teams, “The Coastal Raiders” and “The Naturals”.

Don was an active member of the community, serving as the Newcastle Town Road Commissioner, and also served on other committees such as the Newcastle Comprehensive Planning Team.

An incredibly hard working man, Don always made himself available to those who needed him.  He took the greatest joy in his grandchildren, and would often be found at all of their activities.

Besides his parents, Don was predeceased by his brothers, Forrest and Raymond Hunt.

He is survived by his wife, Christine K. Hunt; his daughters, Laura Hunt Houghton and her husband Luke Houghton, Kendra Hunt, and Nicole “Nicky” Hunt; five grandchildren, Grace, Lucas and Lexie Houghton, Summer Olson, and Gwendolyn “Gwen” Reardon; brothers, Norman and Wilder Hunt; as well as many very special nieces and nephews.

He is remembered fondly as a devoted and loving father “dad”, grandfather “grandpa” and husband.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at a service for Don at the Bunker Hill Church in Jefferson, Maine, at 2:00pm on Saturday, March 18th. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to: Eagles Basketball, 83 Cramer Road, Nobleboro, ME 04555.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, ME 04543.  Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting: www.StrongHancock.com.

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