Richard Hunt

WATERFORD — Richard T. Hunt, 77, of Waterford, passed away quietly with his wife at his side on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice in Auburn.
Richard was born on Jan. 29, 1937, in Jersey City, N.J. Six months later he, his parents and brother Robert moved to Norwalk, Conn., where his father Thomas E. Hunt was born and raised. Richard went through all his school years in the Norwalk system. He started his college years at the University of Connecticut (Storrs), but then transferred to the University of Maine in Portland in 1958, majoring in Accounting. In 1959 he and Phyllis were married, between his sophomore and junior years of college.
Richard started his military service at the 265th AC&W group in Cape Elizabeth, but upon his return to Conn., he completed his tour at the 103rd AC&W in Orange, Conn. Richard and Phyllis spent some 22 years living between Norwalk, Ridgefield and Redding. There they raised their two children and, after working 11 years with the then Union Trust Company in Stamford, he went into business for himself. From 1974 to 1984 Richard was self-employed as an accountant and tax practitioner in the Georgetown, Conn., area. In 1984 the Hunts returned to Maine. They made their residence in Waterford and he opened up his practice in Windham. In 2000 Richard sold the Windham practice and reopened his doors in Waterford until June of 2014.
While in Windham, Richard was quite active in public activities. It all started with the Rotary Club, where he ultimately became President of the club and was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow award. He was active in the local Chamber of Commerce, serving as its Treasurer for some 10 years. Richard also held leadership roles with the Southern Maine Alternative to Residential Treatment a/k/a SMART — a child placement agency for troubled families.
In addition to the above, and in his professional career, Richard was Treasurer and then President of the National Association of Income Tax Practitioners, the American Society of Tax Practitioners, the Institute of Tax Consultants and Treasurer of the Northern New England Society of Enrolled Agents. Last, but not the least, he was a Selectman for the Town of Waterford for just under six years.
Among his many achievements and career accomplishments, Richard was a proud family man and was loved by many.
He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Phyllis A.; a daughter Deborah J. of Waterford; a son Richard M. of Naples; a grandson Bret Kaklegian of Bridgton; a great-granddaughter, Lillian Kaklegian of Florida; a great-grandson, Kaiden Kaklegian of Bridgton, and his younger brother, Kevin of Brooksville.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Oxford Hills Funeral Services, Rt. 26, 1037 Main Street, Oxford. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the ALS Association, New England Chapter, The Concord Center, 10 Ferry St., Suite 309, Concord, NH 03301. Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com