We are saddened to report that COA Board Member Jim Hunter passed away in March 2026. Jim was an active member of the workshops committee and will be sorely missed. At the bequest of his family, COA is honored to accept donations in his memory. Jim’s obituary can be found at: https://www.maioranofuneralhome.com/obituary/james-hunter
Calling hours and funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 19th in Waterbury at the Maiorano Funeral Home. Calling hours are from 4-6:30 with the service directly after.
In addition, we share this CTBIRDS listserv note from his friend Frank Gallo:
We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Jim Hunter on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. Together, we’ll take a walk, share stories, and honor a truly brilliant biologist, naturalist, birder, and friend. Jim touched so many lives through his knowledge, curiosity, and deep love of the natural world, and it feels only right to gather outside, where he felt most at home.
Please come as you are and bring memories and a story to share. Please note that the park closes at dusk and there is plenty of parking. We hope to see you there.
Frank Gallo et. al. New Canaan
Jim started volunteering in 1987 at The Nature Center for Environmental Activities where his birding and passion for nature really took off. He went to Southern Connecticut State University, studied under Dr. Noble Proctor and majored in Biology for Secondary Education. He spent about 20 years working for the Nature Center (now Earthplace) and taught middle school and high school volunteers about all facets of nature. He led natural history trips all over the US and taught high school for 20 years, mostly biology and AP Environmental Science. He has had the opportunity to study penguins in South Africa and Koalas in Africa, but it is birding in the US that has always been there. After living in Fairfield County for almost 40 years he recently relocated to Woodbury.