Henry Huntington

Henry (Hank) Huntington, 87, passed away peacefully May 20, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Henry was born in Bellows Falls, VT, to the late George and Wanda (Poneck) Huntington. He graduated from Bradford Academy and Lyndon State College.
Hank began his teaching career at Waitsfield Junior High where he taught Physical Education and coached Varsity soccer, basketball and baseball. The following year Hank attended Ithaca College where he received a Master’s in Physical Education. Hank then married Elizabeth “Boots” McNally September 1961 in Lyndonville. Henry accepted a teaching-coaching position at Waterbury High School in 1963 where for the next three years he taught physical education and coached varsity soccer, basketball, and baseball. With the creation of Harwood Union High School in 1967, Hank moved on to become the physical education teacher, director of physical education, director of athletics, and varsity soccer coach. Hank's teams won several league championships and were almost always represented in the state tournaments in all three sports.
Hank is one of Six Life members of the Green Mountain League and a life member of the Vermont Coaches Association. He was instrumental in starting wrestling and gymnastics in Vermont. In 1969, Hank became the only Physical Education teacher to receive the Vermont Teacher of The Year award. Hank was elected to the Lyndon State Hall of Fame, an honor he cherished. During his years in teaching, Hank was a dominant force in the promotion of physical education in Vermont schools, working through the Vermont Association of Health, physical education and recreation as a very active member of that group.
Hank moved on from teaching and coaching to the business world, specifically, Real Estate and residential buildings. He began O'Brien Realty in 1971 with offices in Waterbury, Barre, and Montpelier. Hank founded Huntington Homes, a modular Manufacturing Company. Huntington Homes became a leader in the industry, building custom modular homes that shipped throughout New England, including Nantucket and Cape Cod.
Early on Hank served his community as a very active member of both the Vermont Jaycees and the Waterbury Rotary Club for several years. His love of cooking led him to serving dinners for two hundred people at the Lyme Church in Lyme N.H. several times a year.
Hank's daughters, Shelley, Terri and Denise fell in love with horses and ponies at an early age. Hank spent a great deal of time showing horses and ponies throughout New England and the Florida circuit. Hank loved the horse world, if the truth be known, the horse and pony bug bit Hank as much as it did his daughters. He loved the competitive nature; time spent with family and friends. He especially liked to spend the early mornings in the horse barn, feeding the horses and enjoying the sounds of the barn. The peace and quiet proved to be a great way to begin a very busy and somewhat hectic day. Hank married Lois Flowler October 30, 1993, they practiced Real Estate and enjoyed 32 great years together.
Hank Loved all Boston sports teams, the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox.
Hank is survived by his wife Lois (Fowler); Daughters; Shelley Knudson of Harbor Springs, MI Terri Bennett of Holden, Mass and Denise Guay of Essex Jct., Vt, four grandsons, Alex and Connor Knudson, Ryan and Carter Bennett, and two great granddaughters and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two half siblings: Charles Huntington of Virginia and Cynthia Huntington of Florida. Henry was preceded in death by both parents, a sister Rose: brothers James, George and Hollis and a nephew Randall Huntington.
The family would like to give a very special Thanks to Hank's ANGEL of a Caregiver, Suzie Scott. Suzie was with Hank for 7 years.
A celebration of Life will be held at the Lyme Congregational Church Lyme N.H. Saturday June 7th at 11 am.
Donations may be made to the Lyme Congregational Church or your Community Youth Sports teams.
Arrangements are in the care of Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain in Bradford.