Kenneth Raymond Hunter

VOORHEESVILLE- Kenneth Raymond Hunter, of Voorheesville, N.Y., passed away at age 92 on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

With a good sense of humor, radio voice he could turn on or off at will, handwriting that bordered on engraving, and a gifted ability to embarrass with his summer clothing choices, Ken was beloved by his family. He spent endless hours playing board games with his grandchildren, and never met a pun he didn't like.

He was born in New York City in 1930 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a teen. Stationed in Texas, Morocco, Vietnam (with the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) Indo China), and throughout the world on aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43), he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1957 as an Aviation Storekeeper First Class, and entered Syracuse University. He earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in Radio and Television from Syracuse.

He began his post-college career as a high school history teacher in Clinton, N.Y., where he met his wife of 59 years, June (DeVore)- who was a fellow teacher. Following their marriage in Malta Ridge, N.Y., Ken moved into radio and TV as a reporter, working in Albert Lea, Minn., then Watertown, N.Y.

Ken moved his family to Albany and Guilderland, N.Y., before settling in Voorheesville in 1974. During that time, he transitioned into public relations, with positions at the United Way and American Red Cross.

He then moved to the New York State Department of Commerce where he worked in PR for the travel and tourism department. He authored many of the Vacationlands New York State and I Love N.Y. tourism and skiing guides-working on the iconic I Love N.Y. campaign from the beginning- and was "the voice" of the state ski and fall foliage hotline reports for years, as well as being a media authority on the state's tourism industry.

Following the Commerce Department, he moved to the New York State Department of Health community relations bureau where he developed numerous public awareness campaigns, ranging from Lyme disease to diabetes. He retired from the state in June 1996.

Concurrent with his state positions, he was enlisted in the New York State National Guard, working in the public information unit. Highlights included deployments during the 1979 N.Y. prison guard strike, the Guard's security deployment for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, a humanitarian mission to Panama, and more. He retired from the Guard in 1990 as a Master Sergeant, having served a total of nearly 30 years in the military.

Ken also gave back to his fellow former service members and their families, serving as the Senior Volunteer of the Watervliet Arsenal's Retirement Services Office. He volunteered there more than 25 years, beginning at its founding, and seeing its support level grow to more than 7,500 retirees from all branches of military service.

To preserve the stories and history of veterans from World War II through current times, Ken interviewed numerous vets, often with wife June, about their experiences and time in the military. Their archive of interviews is maintained by the New York State Military Museum.

Upon retirement, Ken and June embarked on a significant travel hobby, visiting far-flung areas of the world, including Russia, Australia, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Estonia, Fiji, Bulgaria, Alaska, Thailand, and more. However, his favorite vacation spot was during family trips nearly every summer to York Beach, Maine, where he would gorge on salt water taffy, lobster, and fried clams.

He leaves his wife, June; son Ken Hunter, Jr. (Nina) of Hillsborough, N.J.; daughters Suzanne Hogan (Sean) of Gilberts, ILL; and Rene'e Toth (David) of Byfield, MASS.; grandchildren (who know him as "Poppie") Savannah and Jillian Hunter, Reilly (Ariana), Mary Rose, Anna and George Hogan; and Brayden and Nadia Toth; and great-granddaughter Liberty Hogan; and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Spring and Jean Hunter, brothers Matthew, George, and Gene and sisters Gladys (Meola) and Barbara (Dowis).

He was a long-time member and former church lay leader at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, member of the Elks, 4-H leader, member of N.Y. Public Employees Federation, member of the WGY Retirees group, and volunteered with The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) and the Albany VA Medical Center.

Interment will be in Memory Gardens in Albany, N.Y. A memorial service will be on Saturday June 10, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 68 Maple Ave., Voorheesville, NY 12186.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, 68 Maple Ave., Voorheesville, N.Y. 12186.