Samuel “Sam” Hunter

PORTAGE  --  Samuel “Pat” Hunter, 85, of Pardeeville, passed away Friday, May 15th, 2015, at Divine Savior Healthcare in Portage.

Sam was born on May 8th, 1930, to Elma and Samuel A. Hunter in Portage, WI. In school, known to most friends as Pat, he started Pat Hunter’s Swing Band, playing for dances in Portage and the surrounding area during the 40s and early 50s. He graduated from Portage High School in 1948 and entered the United States Air Force in 1951. He served as a Staff Sergeant at Mitchel Field on Long Island in New York, where he met the love of his life, Helen Lambert in May of 1953. Sam and Helen were married August 21st, 1954 and began a beautiful life together. When he was discharged from the Air Force in 1955 the two moved back to Portage and started their family. Sam and Helen were blessed with three sons and two daughters.

Sam was a devoted and lovingly protective father who was never short of advice and always quick to offer support in all situations. As a father, as with friends and associates, he always proved himself to be a fierce advocate. Regardless of how he felt on any particular issue, there was never any doubt that he was "in your corner".

Sam was very active in the automotive parts industry and in 1979, along with 2 partners, he purchased an automotive parts warehouse in Milwaukee, where he soon became the president of the company. During his time at Parts Distributing Inc., Sam continued to reside in Portage while dedicatedly covering a large territory through Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula, and Illinois. He retired as president of PDI in January of 1994, and Helen retired shortly after.

One of the greatest joys in Sam’s life was his nine grandchildren. For 25 years, Sam perfectly embodied the role of the quintessential grandpa. He loved supporting his grandkids in all their activities, taking them on outings, and making sure they always had dessert.

Sam was a member of the American Legion and a former member of the Portage Elks Lodge, the Portage Country Club, and the Portage Curling Club.

Sam is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen (Lambert) Hunter, his sons Jeff Hunter of Green Bay, Steve (Joan) Hunter of Milwaukee, and Greg (Lynn) Hunter of Appleton, his daughter Sue Jerzewski of Madison, his son-in-law, Pat Quigley (Jenny Larsen), nine grandkids, Cole, Chase, Callie, and Evan Hunter, Jake and Brad Jerzewski, and Katey, Sam, and Erin Quigley, as well as his sister, Beth (John) Murray of Monona, his brother, James (Charlene) Hunter of Sparta, sister-in-law Joan Smyth and brother-in-law Robert Lambert of Long Island, NY, numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Joyce Schutz, his daughter, Patty Quigley, and his mother-in-law, Helen Lambert.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 29th at 11:00am at St. Mary Catholic Church with a visitation preceding at 9:30am. Father Gary Krahenbuhl will preside.​  Inurnment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.