Russell C. Hunter

Russell Craig Hunter, age 59, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Russell was born on November 29, 1954 to Elna (Pfau) Hunter and the late Alan Hunter and was greeted at birth by his three older brothers. He grew up in West Hartford and was the proud owner of Pfau's Hardware located in West Hartford where he worked for many years. What Russell loved about the store were the people that he got to see every day. The employees and the customers were his second family and they continuously brought a smile to his face. Russell's motto was to do something nice for someone every day and he felt accomplished when he succeeded this. Russell was a past president of the West Hartford Civitan Club, a financial supporter of many West Hartford Organizations, and a SAL member of American Legion Post 96. He loved golfing and sailing Long Island Sound and San Diego Bay and spending time with his "Big Chill" family. He will be remembered for his eternal sense of humor and his kindness for everyone he met. He leaves behind his wife and best friend in the world Debra (Jacobson) Hunter; his two daughters and sons-in-law, Jessica and Edward Fichtner and their son Easton of San Diego, CA and Lauren and Joshua Damm of Bloomfield, CT; his mother, Elna Hunter of Harpswell, ME; and his three brothers and sisters-in-law, Alan and Susan of Midlothian, VA, Douglas and Andrea of Southwick, MA, and Robert and Anne of Henniker, NH. He also leaves his in-laws Sivert and Sandra Jacobson; his friend and sister-in-law Sharon Jacobson; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the nurses on Bliss 8 for their wonderful care and support. Calling hours will be Thursday October 30, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 136 South Main Street, West Hartford. A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2014 at the West Hartford United Methodist Church, 1358 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06110. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Hartford United Methodist Church or the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center, 80 Seymour Street, Hartford, CT 06102-5037. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.