Joe Hunt, a beloved figure in Massachusetts hockey, died suddenly at the age of 49 on June 11, 2026, leaving a community in mourning.
He first rose to prominence as a standout player and leader at Coyle and Cassidy High School, guiding the program to its historic 1994‑95 season that culminated in a trip to the Massachusetts state finals.
Teammates and coaches remember Hunt for his situational leadership, often stepping in to steady the top lines during the most pressure‑filled moments of games.
After graduating, he spent a post‑graduate year at the Berkshire School, where he continued to refine his game and maintain the same drive that defined his high school career.
Hunt then devoted more than 25 years to H&H Machine Co./VSN, a family‑run enterprise founded over eight decades ago by his great‑grandfather, Alton H. Hunt Sr., integrating his work ethic into the business his family had built.
Funeral Arrangements and Community Tributes
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Crapo‑Hathaway Funeral Home, 350 Somerset Avenue in Taunton. A mass of Christian burial follows on Wednesday, June 24 at 11 a.m. in the Annunciation of the Lord Church, 31 First Street.
Friends, former teammates, and local leaders have taken to social media and local gatherings to celebrate Hunt’s legacy, highlighting his impact both on the ice and in the workplace, and underscoring the deep respect he commanded across generations.