May 12, 1940 – March 14, 2025 

Definition of a gentleman a chivalrous, courteous, or honorable man. 

This is a term that was often used and appropriately applied to Noel. After decades of struggling with Parkinson’s disease, our husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend Noel Anthony Joseph Hunt is finally steady and calm. 

Born in Lumby, B.C. to Guy and Betty Hunt (Bessette), Noel was the eldest of five children. Moving to Kamloops as a very young boy, he grew up in a large loving family enjoying life to its fullest. He was a very outgoing and social person who made many friends throughout his life journey. 

Noel attended Saint Ann’s Academy for his elementary school years (where he kept the nuns on their toes) and then attended Kamloops High School. Kamloops Minor Hockey and baseball at Riverside Park were favorite pastimes of Noel’s youth. He was one of the first boys in Kamloops, alongside his brother Barrie, to play hockey in the newly constructed Memorial Arena in 1949! He played for the league showing off his skills as a good solid forward with fast feet. Many of his lifelong friendships were established during these times. 

Noel was a meticulous man in all aspects, with a strong work ethic for everything he did, a teaching he passed on to his four daughters. He would often come home from high school during his lunch hours to change into a clean pressed shirt; only wearing something once before it hit the wash. He always said, “You could tell a lot about a man by his shoes” and his were always cleaned to perfection each and every day. 

In 1958 at the age of eighteen, having a keen eye for detail, Noel started working at Jay Ray Menswear on Victoria Street. Linda, with the knowledge of Noel’s employment whereabouts, wanted to meet the handsome young man she’d caught a glimpse of at the drive in while on a date with another. Noel bounded up the stairs to greet her with his big brown eyes and smile…it was love. 

Noel and Linda married in 1961 and moved to Ashcroft BC, where he was chosen to run the local Jay Ray location. They later moved back to Kamloops in 1966 where he ran and operated the newly acquired North Hills Mall location for the next 30 years. During that time, Noel became a partner in the business until his retirement in 1996. Jay Ray eventually had locations in Kamloops, Ashcroft, Logan Lake, Salmon Arm, Chase, and Kelowna. Noel prided himself on how he conducted business with long-standing partners, suppliers, employees and faithful patrons. He had the ability to never forget a name or a face and could recall details with ease. 

Noel took an avid interest in many sports throughout his life, and participated in hockey, baseball, curling and golf to name a few. He was a founding member at both Rivershore Golf Club and The Dunes, playing every Thursday men’s night possible. A member of the Kamloops Curling Club for 30 plus years participating and sponsoring teams, bonspiels and events in and around the area. Noel was an avid Kamloops hockey fan dating back to the Chiefs and Rocket days. He was an original founding member of the Kamloops Blazers organization, holding the same season tickets in section S for decades in both the Memorial and Sandman Arenas. He enjoyed going to the games, rubbing shoulders with local businessmen and hockey fans alike. In addition to his sporting endeavors throughout the years Noel was a volunteer fireman, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club member, belonged to the North Shore Business Association, sponsored the Ashcroft and Falkland Stampedes, sponsored and participated in The Kamloops Cattle Drive 91. 

Noel was a proud Kamloopsian and never really felt the need to leave these parts. It was home and he loved it. He believed in giving back to his community and was known for his generosity in business and personal life – whether lending a dollar or providing clothing from the business to someone in need over the years, with no expectation of repayment. As a family we are very proud of how well respected and liked he was in the business and local community. When not in a suit and tie for work – Noel was in wrangler jeans, a denim shirt, and cowboy hat. He felt comfortable in both attires and wore them both extremely well. 

A treasured pastime of Noel’s was hunting in the great outdoors, enjoying it alongside his father-in-law and longtime best friend Stuart McMillan. Over the years, they covered a lot of ground mainly in the Cariboo and 70 Mile area. Many a night was spent around a campfire sharing stories about life, family and friendship. In the early years of marriage, it was a given that Noel would be away for their wedding anniversary as it was “hunting season”, he always made sure to give Linda the most beautiful card before leaving and a promise to bring something home for the freezer! Fishing in the local lakes with his dad, or in the Bonaparte/Bella Coola areas with his buddies catching salmon – Noel always enjoyed the beautiful scenery B.C. had to offer and often said to his family “we are fortunate to live where we do”. 

Music was a must for Noel, purchasing many vinyl records over the years; particularly country and of course Elvis. 

Sunday excursions were common, and Noel loved to load up the truck and take a drive to the hills of the surrounding area. Our family enjoyed these rides while he often whistled away a tune; “Peter and the Wolf” being a fan favorite. Noel knew every back route, dirt road, corner, and tree from here to there and could tell you the weight of every moose, deer, grouse or salmon he ever bagged and where he caught it. 

With retirement in the early 90’s came a move to the Dunes community in Westyde. Making new friends, enjoying a little golf and long early morning walks along the greens. You could often find him out on the patio with his binoculars watching guys ‘tee off’ as he sipped his coffee or a beer. 

Noel was a true family man and enjoyed being spoiled by his girls. He was a dedicated husband and father who always put us first. He had a quick mind, an infectious smile, strong sense of loyalty, a dry sense of humor but most of all a huge capacity to love. 

Noel’s living legacy includes his beautiful wife of 64 years, Linda; his four loving daughters; Teresa (Dwayne) Anderson, Michele (Terry) Wiebe, Kelly (Larry) Grant, Simone (Jason) Hammond. Grandchildren: Cody, Sarah, Rachel, Skyler, Taytum, Ashton and Kash as well as 9 great grandchildren. His siblings: Barrie (Linda) Hunt, Tannis (Doug) Smith, Melodie Hunt (Clem Samson) In laws: Karen (Randy) Giddings, Christina Laursen (Murray Thompson), Lisa (Bob) Dohnalek, Sonya (Joe) Smoley, and Christian Laursen. Noel was predeceased by his parents Guy and Betty Hunt, in laws Chris and Margaret Laursen, brother Keith Hunt, sister-in-law Ingrid Caines, brother-in-law Bob Caines, and first-born grandchild Michael Anderson. 

The family would like to extend a thank you to Dr. Jennifer Takahashi for her patience and kindness in caring for Noel over the many years. Dr. Smita Varma for her care, advice, and support while Noel was in RIH, the nursing staff of 5 North and the staff at Marjorie Willoughby Snowden for making him comfortable his final hours. 

At Noel’s request, no service will be held. 

‘I am very very lonely, when we are apart but please remember darling, you are always in my heart’ 

• Date : 2025-03-14
• Location : Kamloops