With regret we report the death on the 25th March 2018 of Tony Hunt, Reader in the York City Centre group of parishes, at the age of 93. He is thought to have been the oldest serving Reader in the Diocese.
Tony was born in Bath in 1924 and sang as a chorister at St Mary's, Bathwick. Following time in India during and after the Second World War, he came to York in 1959 in the course of a 42-year career in the shoe trade, and he immediately began a 59-year association with St Olave's Church where he served during six incumbencies variously as churchwarden, treasurer, Church Council secretary, head server and Reader.
Husband of Pam, father of Alison and David and grandfather of Ursula and Olivia, Tony was admitted as a Reader in St Olave's by the Bishop of Selby, the Rt Revd Clifford Barker, on Tuesday 29 July 1983. His ministry later extended to St Martin’s, All Saints Pavement and St Clement’s. He also served faithfully on the Diocesan and Deanery Synods. Though firmly committed to the Catholic tradition of the Church of England he established links with a wide range of other churches in York, not least though the weekly prayer breakfast. He was even asked to preach at one of these other churches. A fitting highlight of his life took place in 2012 when he received Maundy money from the Queen in York Minster.
Reader colleague Kingsley Boulton said, “Tony’s life was above all one of service to others, grounded in his deep Christian faith and devotion. As such a great example to us all. He will be sorely missed by so many people. I will personally miss his wisdom, his kindness, his gentleness, his friendship and his support.”
His Funeral Requiem is to take place at St Olave's on Wednesday 11 April at 2.00pm.
May he rest in peace, and rise in glory.