Harry Hunt, an Aldergrove man who was dedicated to sports, youth, and his community, has been commemorated through a playing field named in his honour.
The field behind the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre at 26770 29 Ave. was officially dedicated as the Harry Hunt Field on Dec. 6, during a celebration of life held by his family and friends and attended by members of Township of Langley council.
Harry, a photographer and long-time contributor to the Aldergrove Star, passed away on Nov. 7 after decades of being deeply involved in the community.
“Harry was one of those people whom everybody knew,” said Mayor Jack Froese. “No matter what you were doing in Aldergrove – at a sporting event, at the ice rink, taking in Fair Days, or enjoying a community celebration – chances are you would see Harry there. He could always be counted on to be in the middle of the action, camera in hand, to capture it all.”
Harry didn’t just take photos of things going on in the community – he was involved in many of them, Froese said.
“Whether it was local politics, sports, agriculture, or young people, Harry was keenly interested in many things,” said Froese. “But Harry was especially dedicated to Aldergrove, the place where he lived and worked, and the people in it. Community meant a lot to Harry and he was integral to this place.”
Harry and his wife Betty settled on acreage in Aldergrove in the late 1960s and ran a hog farm. Harry worked as a bricklayer and he and Betty raised their two children. Having played hockey and rugby in his youth, Harry coached and was a great supporter of youth sports in Aldergrove. He volunteered with local organizations and service clubs and later worked as a school custodian.
He also pursued his love of photography and for more than 25 years, Harry and his camera were familiar fixtures at local sports and community events.
Harry’s dedication to the community earned him numerous awards, including the Hilda Reddick Volunteer of the Year Award and the Aldergrove Agricultural Association’s Centennial Award for the top farmer in the area.
After fighting a difficult battle with cancer, Harry passed away at age 75, two years after losing his wife Betty.
To commemorate Harry’s life, Township of Langley council officially named the playing field after him. During the celebration of life, council unveiled a descriptive panel outlining Harry’s achievements and dedicating the park in his memory.