Hunter Bailey Currin

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Hunter Bailey Currin, 79, died peacefully at his home, after a long illness, on January 4, 2017 surrounded by his family. Hunter was born in 1937 in Simcoe, Ontario Canada to Bailey Owen Currin of Oxford, North Carolina (d. 1954) and Katherine Elizabeth Currin (Boles) of Leamington, Ontario Canada (d. 1992).  Hunter is survived by his partner, Ellie Elletson. Hunter and Ellie shared a great love. Their desire to share their lives transcended any distance. Together they traveled to the gardens of London and just last summer they travelled across Canada by train. Hunter is also survived by his sister, Rebecca Elgie (Bernie Fetterly) of Ithaca, NY, who spent a great deal of time with him in Saratoga after he became ill in 2011, his children, Cailie Currin of Jackson, NY and her wife, Margaret Jones, Zan Currin of Waterloo, IA (Marc Willet, 1976-2013), and Chad Currin and his wife, Lisa Bonacquist Currin; three grandchildren, Sydney Boles, Marley Bonacquist Currin and Biruk Currin. He is also survived by several nephews and nieces, including Christine Elgie who provided much appreciated support, guidance and technical assistance in caring for Hunter, and her sister Tara Elgie, as well as Ellie’s large family for whom he felt great affection. Having hosted a number of international students and teachers, many around the world call him “Dad.” His family was devoted to him and he was devoted to them, a gift none of them took for granted.  Hunter graduated from University of Toronto in 1960 with a degree in Engineering Physics. He and his former wife and mother of his three children Catharine (Cathie) Currin, left southern Ontario after completing university to make their lives and raise their family in the US, first in Pittsburgh PA, where Hunter obtained a MS in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear from University of Pittsburgh, and thereafter in Glenville, NY. Hunter was an engineer at Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), but to say that is where he worked for 46 years understates the importance of his work to him. Had his health not forced his retirement, he would have happily worked until he took his last breath: Hunter loved the work he did and the people he worked with. He missed both every single day of his retirement. He attended and enjoyed regular luncheons for KAPL retirees, though he would always have preferred to be working.  Hunter’s family and work were very important to him, but he had many other interests as well. Hunter was a long-time Unitarian Universalist and member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Saratoga Springs, where he served in several leadership roles. He was an avid sailor and member of the Saratoga Lake Sailing Club (SLSC), serving as Commodore multiple times. He was a runner and member of the Saratoga Stryders. He ran in 15 marathons and many shorter running races. He loved the Saratoga Film Forum. He also loved to travel. He visited every continent and could speak with passion about each trip he took. He was a talented photographer and took pictures as he travelled through life and around the world. Hunter passed on his love of travel by taking each of his grandchildren on a trip as they turned 14: Sydney and Hunter went on a Garrison Keillor cruise to Norway, he and Marley took a river cruise in eastern Europe, and, most recently, Biruk and Hunter went on a trip to Austin, Texas for a Formula One race.  Hunter’s philosophy of life was that it is richer with people in it. In each of his interests, he found ways to be a part of a community. Everywhere he went, whether around town or while traveling abroad, he sought to find and build connections with people. He will be missed by the many communities he was a part of, and they came to him in his final days and hours to support him and show him their love.  Hunter’s family wishes to thank all those at New York Oncology and Hematology. Every single person: the receptionists at the beginning of each appointment, the medical assistants, the nurses, the doctors and nurse practitioners, through to the schedulers that closed each visit all treated him with great kindness and respect. Community Hospice made his last days as comfortable as possible and all of his Hospice caregivers were wonderful to him and the family. He received compassionate care at both Albany Medical Center and Saratoga Hospital. A serious illness of a family member is a hard thing to go through and all these professionals made it easier for the family in big and, often more important, small ways.  A memorial service will be held at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church on Friday, January 13, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., followed immediately by a reception at the same location. Burial will be private, with no graveside service. In the spring, a celebration of his life will be held at SLSC, a beautiful location he always selected for important events.  On June 4, 2017, Hunter’s daughter, Cailie, will ride her bicycle 72 miles around Lake Tahoe with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training in loving memory of her father. Donations can be made to http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/ambbr17/CCurrin.  Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke and Sons/Bussing and Cunniff Funeral Homes of Saratoga Springs. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.