Ambroise Leonel Pelage Hunt was born to Jean Leonel & Louise Adelaide Hunt on May 4, 1935, on the picturesque island of St. Martin in the French West Indies. He was the second in a family of 9 children: there were 7 brothers and 2 sisters.
In the early 1950’s, his mother decided that to advance their education, he and his brother, Daniel, would attend boarding school/trade school at Caribbean Union College (CUC) in Trinidad. There they completed secondary (high) school and then learned the trade of printing. It was at CUC where many lifelong friendships were made. After completing his studies at CUC, he emigrated to the Bronx, New York in the late 1950’s and worked as a printer. He attended City Tabernacle SDA Church in Harlem and sang in the choir; he loved singing and music.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army and honorably served as a medic from 1960 to 1962; he was stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.
Ambroise returned to NYC in 1962 and resumed his printing career. Around that same time, his 5 youngest siblings emigrated to NYC. Together as a family, Ambroise worked to help his siblings in the home and supported them as they each went on to study in school, college and pursue various careers.
He was a faithful husband to one beautiful, articulate and regal wife: Ida Fenella Allen, who he married on June 23, 1968. Their union resulted in 5 wonderful children: Zaria, Daryl, Naja, Gibran and Josiah Gabriel. Ambroise and Ida initially lived in Brooklyn, but then purchased a home in St Albans, Queens. He had high expectations, was fiercely protective, requiring excellence and integrity in all things. He was committed to harness the power of our minds through education: both technically and artistically: early morning family worships, piano lessons, frequent visits to the library, and having us read out loud excerpts from Readers Digest, newspaper and books. He and Ida attended Springfield Gardens SDA Church in Queens for nearly 35 years. There, he was a dedicated Sabbath school teacher, deacon and an enthusiastic Bible bowl coach, imparting biblical knowledge and wisdom to teens and young adults. His favorite author was Khalil Gibran, whose works deeply resonated with him.
Maintaining contact with the extended family was also very important, so it was quite normal for the family to take excursions to Brooklyn, Bronx, Boston, and spend summers in Montserrat and St Martin. Ambroise also was enriched by his love for community gardening; he frequently shared the harvest with neighbors and mailed it to family and friends.
After retiring from his career in printing, he joined Ida in Hazel Green, Alabama, where they built their retirement home in 2007. They were both active members at First SDA Church in Huntsville. He faithfully taught Sabbath School and worked energetically with the Hospitality Committee. Even after Ida passed in 2013, he continued to travel and journeyed to Seoul, South Korea and Manila, Philippines to visit his sons who were studying there with their families.
In August 2019, Ambroise suffered a stroke. After months of rehabilitation, he came home and was lovingly cared for over the next 5 years until he peacefully passed away in his home on September 18, 2024 at the age of 89.
Ambroise was preceded in death by his beloved parents: Louise Adelaide and Jean Leonel Hunt; his brothers: Dr. Gabriel Hunt, Raymond Hunt, and Dr. Daniel Hunt; his sister, Emma Baunis Hunt – Hyman, sister-in-law, Rosette Vlaun, and his wife, Ida Fenella Allen Hunt.
He leaves behind a legacy of love and service and is survived by his children and their spouses: Dr. Zaria Murrell (Dr. Michael), Daryl Hunt (Sylver Logan Sharp), Naja Butler (Eddie), Dr. Gibran Hunt (YeJin), and Dr. Josiah Hunt (Yanghwa Hazel); nine grandchildren: Micaiah, Naomi, Ammiel, Misael, Sivan, Aviel, Eluana, Sarah, and Luella; siblings: Michel, Pierre, Yvonne Hunt Spencer, and Dr. Enacio Hunt; sister-in-laws: Sandie, Marcia, and Dr. Yvette Holness. There are also scores of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Please know he loved you all.
Ambroise’s faith was the cornerstone of his life. He will be remembered for his strong work ethic and steadfast dedication to his family, church, and community, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Sunday, October 6, 2024 at the First Seventh-day Adventist Church (1303 Evangel Drive NW, Huntsville, AL 35816) with Pastor Alexander Lumpkin as officiant and Pastor Debleaire Snell as eulogist. Interment will be in the Oakwood Memorial Gardens. Mr. Hunt will lie in repose one hour prior to funeral time.
The Hunt family will receive guests from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024 at the Royal Chapel of Memories.
In lieu of flower donations, Mr. Ambroise Hunt has requested all contributions to be donated to the hospitality committee at:
First SDA Church
1303 Evangel Drive, NW
Huntsville, AL 35816
Attn: Hospitality Committee
Give – First SDA Church
https://firstsdachurch.com/give/
