Leslie Lascelles Hunter's Obituary
Leslie Lascelles Hunter, 94, of Miami, Florida, went to heaven on February 7th, 2019 – just two months short of his 95th birthday. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica on April 7, 1924, to Allan Hunter and Winnifred Veitch. Leslie was the first of his parents eight children.
He graduated from Wolmer’s High School for Boys in Kingston, Jamaica. He left Jamaica in 1942 to support allied wartime efforts in Panama and at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, for which he was honored with an “E” Award for Excellence in War Time Manufacturing. He told stories of his vibrant life in 1940s Harlem, where he met artists like Duke Ellington and earned the nickname "Busta" for standing up for the rights of his friends and colleagues in the face of discrimination. He returned to Jamaica at the age of 21, where he met and married the love of his life – Cecelia E. Hunter (d. 2011). They had three children – Lascelles (d. 1980), Paul, and Charmaine.
Leslie was a sales professional by trade and spent his spare time with his close family, dear friends, and fellow lodge members. After emigrating to the United States in 1977, he spent several years in Nyack, NY, and Miami, FL where he helped care for his six beloved grandchildren.
Leslie was a firm believer in God and always thought positively. He was a powerful, warm, and endearing soul with a larger-than-life personality. Everyone who met him was greeted with his beautiful smile and hearty laugh and left his presence feeling valued, empowered, and affirmed of their greatness. He was a man who lived by principle and always did the right thing - leaving behind an unforgettable legacy of love and light on this Earth.
He is survived and will forever be dearly missed by his children, Charmaine C. Powell and Harry (Paul) Hunter, grandchildren, Peter Hunter, Damian Hunter, Kevin Hunter, Edward Hunter, Alysia Nicely, Jacques Nicely, and David Powell, and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He is loved by his 8 surviving siblings, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
A “Thanksgiving Service” will be held to celebrate the vibrant life of Leslie L. Hunter on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at 11 am at Kendall Community Church of God in Miami, FL.
The repast will be held in Parker Hall on the Kendall Community Church of God campus following the service.
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