Wednesday, September 28, 2011

21

OBITUARY

Voice of Piedmont fades: Hunter McCreary dies September 22

1959, and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Following graduation, he served on active duty with the Air Force for four years, attaining the rank of Captain. Returning to the Bay Area, Hunter worked as a buyer for the Emporium for eight years, was the manager of American Draperies retail outlets for ve years, then bought and operated Dime & Dollar on Lakeshore Avenue for 14 years until it closed in 1992. He loved running that store, and was often Photo by Paul Bailey-Gates called the Mayor Hunter McCreary, the quintessential parade of Lakeshore. announcer during the 2008 Piedmont 4th of July The store allowed Parade. him to remain acHunter McCreary, the Voice tive in community endeavors of Piedmont, died unexpectedly throughout the week while afon September 22 of complica- fording him a constant ow of tions resulting from a leg infec- information and conversation to tion. A lifelong resident of Pied- keep his nger on the pulse of mont. Robert Hunter McCreary everything. His window displays III was born on November 22, were always a draw, especially 1937, the son of Robert Hunter at Halloween. McCreary, Jr. and Carolyn-LouHunter became known as 70s and including this years parade. He even played Santa Claus at Piedmonts annual tree lighting ceremony, and a jollier laugh you will never hear. Hunter was a leader and member of many organizations over the last 40 years: He was President of the Wildwood Dads Club, President of CHIME (Citizens Highly Interested in Music Education), a member of the Board of the Millennium High School, member of the Board and Advisory Committee of the Piedmont Boy Scout Council, Assistant Scout Master for Troop 15, and Advisor to the Order of the Arrow. He served on the Alameda County Grand Jury for three years, was a member of the Board of Lakeshore Merchants Association, was a judge for the annual Lakeshore Avenue Easter Parade, was President and Secretary of the Grand Lake Kiwanis, and this year was the Secretary of the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club. An Eagle Scout as a high school sophomore, Hunter as an adult was honored with the Silver Beaver Award scoutings highest honor and the Harry M. Thomas Scout to Scouter Award from the Piedmont Council. His proudest Scouting achievement was presenting the Eagle Award to his son Bobby in 1977. With his booming voice and ease with a microphone in his hand, Hunter was a frequent auctioneer at charity benets and was delighted to make himself available to help in any capacity when asked. In recent years, he thoroughly enjoyed driving the Schoolmates van for the Piedmont Recreation Department, where he was known by children (many of whom are children or grandchildren of longtime friends) as Mr. Hunter. He never missed a single theater performance or ballgame of either of his two children. He passed on to others many things: his love of music and sports, his passion for all things Cal, his gift of gab, and his ability to string together words of the four-letter variety in very creative ways. In 1980, with no real stage experience but a lifetime love of musical theater, he was invited by Austin Tichenor to play the part of Dr. Josiah Bartlett in the musical 1776. This was followed by three years of performances with Piedmont Community Theater, spearheaded by Brad Howard, John Cullom, Bruce Turner and Jeff Rowlings. This led to the founding of Piedmont Light Opera Theater (PLOT) with Alan Harvey in 1984. Over the next 19 years, he produced one musical each summer, and was rewarded with seeing his effort become a popular part of the community, drawing performers and audiences from around the greater Bay Area. He was proud to have performed in every production, once only as an offstage voice. He particularly enjoyed the roles of President Roosevelt in Annie, Old Joe in Damn Yankees, Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof, Horace Vander Gelder in Hello,

Lifelong Piedmont native was well-loved parade, football game announcer

Hunter McCreary with 4th of July Parade head Carla Betts.

Susan and Hunter McCreary celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Dolly!, twice as Mayor Shinn in The Music Man, and King Sextimus The Silent in Once Upon a Mattress obviously his most difcult role. Hunter is predeceased by his parents, Robert Hunter McCreary, Jr. and Carolyn-Louise Pratt McCreary. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Susan Lankenau

will be held at Piedmont Community Church, 400 Highland Avenue, Piedmont, on Saturday, October 29, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the Piedmont Community Center. In lieu of owers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to any of the following organizations: Piedmont

Hunter McCreary at age 4.

ise (Pratt) McCreary. He attended Wildwood School, Piedmont Junior High School, and graduated from Piedmont High School in 1955, He graduated from Cal with a BA in History in the Class of

Hunter McCreary as a student at UC Berkeley in 1957.

the Voice of Piedmont for more than 20 years as the stadium announcer for the Piedmont Highlanders football games. He announced the annual Fourth of July Parade starting back in the

The McCreary family at the 2011 Piedmont 4th of July Parade: Bobby (left) Susan, Hunter and Catey.

Hunter McCreary (2nd from left) attains the rank of Eagle Scout as a Sophomore at Piedmont High in a ceremony directed by Henry Thomas (right).

McCreary, his son Robert Hunter McCreary IV, his daughter Catherine Forrest (Catey) McCreary, his son-in-law Darell Breedlove, his step-grandson James Breedlove, his granddaughter Abigail Grace Breedlove, and his loyal beagle Peanut. He is also survived by a rst cousin in Illinois and Susans mother, sister, brother-in-law, six nieces and nephews and six grandnieces and -nephews, all of whom he loved very much. A celebration of Hunters life

High School Music and Performing Arts Department, In memory of Hunter McCreary, 800 Magnolia Avenue, Piedmont 94611 ATTN: Jan DAnnunzio; Childrens Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland 94610; Piedmont Council, Boy Scouts of America, 10 Highland Way, Piedmont 94611; UC RegentsCal Band, 72 Cesar Chavez Student Center, MC 4280, Berkeley 94705-4280 (GO BEARS!); or a charity of your choice.