Obituary for John Rolfe Hunt
John Rolfe Hunt of Cobalt passed away on June 3, 2021 at the Temiskaming Hospital after a brief illness. John was born on May 25, 1925, in Balham, England. As a young man John worked as a farm labourer and then in advertising. He immigrated to Canada 1948. He made his way to Toronto where he worked at just about anything to make a buck.
He began writing for a weekly Jewish newspaper. This led to an introduction to Roy Thomson. He was hired and sent North where he sold advertising. John began his reporting career in Rouyn Noranda and Kirkland Lake. He was hired by the North Bay Nugget in 1951 and came to Cobalt to man its northern Bureau. John spent 67 years with the Nugget, where he honed his skills as a reporter, editorial writer and columnist. Later in his career John began a weekly radio broadcast for CBC Sudbury that lasted nearly 25 years. John was a people person and great listener. Over the years he interviewed many characters from every walk of life. It didn’t matter if you were a prospector or a sitting Prime Minister. He asked the tough questions and expected straight answers. He then would write a story that was honest and fair. He received many awards and recognition for his work. He loved Northern Ontario and was a proud citizen of Cobalt.
John was predeceased by his parents, Henry Hudson Hunt and Daisy Grace Rolfe. His wife of 47 years Eileen (nee Armstrong), sister Jane Cannelle (John) and son-in-law Ted Whitby. He is survived by his daughter Mary Jane Whitby (Paul Hamel ) of Temagami, his son Hudson Hunt (Wendy) of Red Deer, AB, his sister Anne Cooksey of Edmonton AB, and four grandchildren - Eric Whitby (Christine Coulson) of Edmonton, AB, Adam Whitby (Megan Messenger) of Sudbury, Mason Hunt of Red Deer AB and Mariah Hunt of Calgary AB. One great grandchild, Grace Whitby of Sudbury. We would like to thank Dr. Sears, Dr. Besner and the staff of the Temiskaming Hospital for their care and compassion. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buffam Leveille Funeral Home. Due to Covid 19 there will be no formal service. John Hunt will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the "Temiskaming Foundation". When Covid is over we will gather in Cobalt to celebrate a life well lived. In typical JRH fashion, he requested that when we gather for a celebration, the only song to be sung is "The Cobalt Song." 30 end 30
He began writing for a weekly Jewish newspaper. This led to an introduction to Roy Thomson. He was hired and sent North where he sold advertising. John began his reporting career in Rouyn Noranda and Kirkland Lake. He was hired by the North Bay Nugget in 1951 and came to Cobalt to man its northern Bureau. John spent 67 years with the Nugget, where he honed his skills as a reporter, editorial writer and columnist. Later in his career John began a weekly radio broadcast for CBC Sudbury that lasted nearly 25 years. John was a people person and great listener. Over the years he interviewed many characters from every walk of life. It didn’t matter if you were a prospector or a sitting Prime Minister. He asked the tough questions and expected straight answers. He then would write a story that was honest and fair. He received many awards and recognition for his work. He loved Northern Ontario and was a proud citizen of Cobalt.
John was predeceased by his parents, Henry Hudson Hunt and Daisy Grace Rolfe. His wife of 47 years Eileen (nee Armstrong), sister Jane Cannelle (John) and son-in-law Ted Whitby. He is survived by his daughter Mary Jane Whitby (Paul Hamel ) of Temagami, his son Hudson Hunt (Wendy) of Red Deer, AB, his sister Anne Cooksey of Edmonton AB, and four grandchildren - Eric Whitby (Christine Coulson) of Edmonton, AB, Adam Whitby (Megan Messenger) of Sudbury, Mason Hunt of Red Deer AB and Mariah Hunt of Calgary AB. One great grandchild, Grace Whitby of Sudbury. We would like to thank Dr. Sears, Dr. Besner and the staff of the Temiskaming Hospital for their care and compassion. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buffam Leveille Funeral Home. Due to Covid 19 there will be no formal service. John Hunt will be laid to rest in a private graveside service at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the "Temiskaming Foundation". When Covid is over we will gather in Cobalt to celebrate a life well lived. In typical JRH fashion, he requested that when we gather for a celebration, the only song to be sung is "The Cobalt Song." 30 end 30