LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of B. Sears Hunter, distin-
guished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, B. Sears Hunter, a lifelong resident of Blooming Grove, New
York, died on Thursday, February 26, 2009, at the age of 95; and
WHEREAS, Born on October 13, 1913, to Marian Sears and Robert Joseph
Hunter, B. Sears Hunter attended the one room school house in Oxford; he
then graduated from Monroe High School in 1931, and from Rutgers Univer-
sity in 1935; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, he graduated from the New York University Law
School in 1938, and one year later, joined the New York State Bar Asso-
ciation; and
WHEREAS, In 1940, B. Sears Hunter was drafted into the United States
Army where he rose to the rank of Captain while serving in the Pacific
Theater; he became a partner in the Newburgh law practice of Cantline,
Flanagan, and Hunter in 1946, and practiced there for 37 years; through-
out his career and after retirement he donated his legal services to
many individuals and causes; and
WHEREAS, B. Sears Hunter distinguished himself in his profession and
by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of
his community; and
WHEREAS, He had a real passion for both politics and human rights; B.
Sears Hunter was a founding member of the Orange County Human Rights
Commission and served on the commission for 10 years; he was very active
in Orange County, serving as County Chairman from 1961-1970; he was also
a candidate for Orange County District Attorney in 1957, as well as the
State Senate in 1972; and
WHEREAS, B. Sears Hunter's commitment to excellence, and his spirit of
humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including charita-
ble and civic endeavors; and
WHEREAS, B. Sears Hunter participated in many organizations and was
honored for his service on their boards including: The MacQuade Founda-
tion, The Human Rights Commission, The Orange County Bar Association,
Occupations Inc. and the Orange County Community College; and
WHEREAS, An avid athlete who enjoyed tennis and hiking, as well as
cross-country and downhill skiing where he was a proud member of the
over-70 ski club, B. Sears and his wife, Phyllis, spent many summer
vacations exploring Europe and hiking in the Alps; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong member of The Blooming Grove United Church of
Christ, B. Sears Hunter also took great pleasure in reading the New York
Times and playing competitive contract bridge; and
WHEREAS, B. Sears Hunter is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary-
phyllis Barber Hunter; his brother, William; five children: Marian Sears
Hunter, Benjamin and Lisa Hunter, Wendy and Mark Stiles, Larry Hunter
and Cathy Hunter; seven grandchildren: Larissa Dougherty, Sabrina Spie-
gel, Andrew Hunter, Mathew Stiles, Zack Stiles, Benjamin Stiles, and
Joelle Stiles; and three great-grandchildren, Joselyn Stiles, Adam
Stiles, and Nicolette Stiles; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, B. Sears Hunter leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of B. Sears Hunter, distinguished citizen and devoted
member of his community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of B. Sears Hunter.