A junior at Sanford High School passed away on Sunday, May 11
SANFORD, Maine – The Sanford community is grieving the loss of student Jonathan “Jony” Hunter, a junior at Sanford High School. Hunter passed away on Sunday, May 11, at age 16. Hundreds gathered on Wednesday, May 21 to attend a Celebration of Life in his honor. It would have been his 17th birthday.
Hunter participated in football, tennis, prom committee and yearbook production. He was incredibly dedicated to playing football and was described as being a leader on the team. He was looking to continue playing football after high school as well. Besides playing football, he also enjoyed learning about professional sports.
He was known for being kind and supportive to his peers and teammates.
“Jony was truly a teddy bear, by all definitions,” said Erin Murphy-Putnam, Hunter’s homeroom and history teacher. “His realness and humor were his best qualities. Each interaction with him left you feeling like he truly cared about the conversation.”
Murphy Putnam also shared that Hunter was kind to his classmates, and sometimes used humor to gently redirect disruptive behavior.
“He was willing to do anything for anyone,” she added. “He truly had the biggest heart, while also somehow managing to be such a goofball.”
There is a memorial spot the community can visit in Wells, Maine by Forbes Restaurant off Mile Road. This was a spot Hunter enjoyed visiting to watch the ocean and to relax. Teammates, friends and family continue to visit the memorial to leave flowers and candles, with some being placed in the shape of the number 77, the number Hunter wore on his football jersey.
Hunter’s family created a GoFundMe to aid with funeral costs, which was closed after a 24 after the community more than doubled the family’s goal.
According to Kevin Deyak, Hunter’s step-father, they hope to set up a scholarship in the years to come to remember Jony and help out a fellow football player.
Students are encouraged to reach out to the school counselors or another trusted adult if they would like help with grief or feel like they need someone to talk to.
Disclaimer: this article has been approved by members of the Hunter family.
The Spartan Times 