Lester Hunter

Lester Hunter, affectionately known as "Les or Uncle Lester" by family and friends, was born in Anderson, South Carolina to the late Carrie Hunter and William McCoppins on May 27th, 1939.

Lester came to New York in 1954 and he attended Cooper High School. He was a ladies’ man, all the ladies loved him. He was always the life of the party, a true party animal wherever there was a party you could bet your bottom dollar Les was there. Any song that played he was on the floor, but there was one song called Don’t Mess with Bill by the Marvelettes whenever it came on he hit the floor like they called his name.

In 1980 he was introduced to two people that would change his life forever, Esther Skinner, the love of his life and her son Terrence. This was a match made in heaven. From the day they met they were inseparable, when you saw one the other was not that far behind. Sometimes in matching outfits. Lester worked for the Parks Department for 30 years, a job that he really enjoyed because he was a people person and he enjoyed working around the younger generation especially the men. Lester had lived his life to the fullest with no regrets. He had his ups and downs, facing life’s trials and tribulations as we all do. He shared his life experiences and knowledge with them hoping it would help guide them in making the right decisions when that life altering moment presented itself. As we all know that time will come, because the devil is always busy. When he retired, he devoted all his time to caring for his family. Les was a gentle, loving and nurturing soul, but there were two sides to Les the mild-mannered gentlemen, and then there was Les the protector; he didn’t play when it came to his loved ones. Anyone that knew him knew not to mess with his family if so, you just declared war, and he was coming with a vengeance.  Les loved sports, football, baseball and basketball. He loved people and it didn't matter where you came from, he believed in second chances. He just enjoyed helping people. If you needed an ear to bend a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand, he was there. This did not just apply to family it was for everyone in need of a friend. Lester was a humble man but very particular about the way he looked always had on a jazzy hat, a class act to the end. He was many things to many people, to know him was to love him Lester was a great friend and mentor to many. He loved the life he lived and lived the life he loved. Lester was a great son, brother, uncle, cousin, stepfather and husband. Just an all-around good man.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carrie Hunter; father, William McCoppins; brother, Eugene Hunter; sister, Mary Woodson; and common-law-wife, Esther Skinner.

Lester leaves behind to celebrate his life, his stepson, Terrence Skinner who took care of him and stuck by his side until the end; nephew, Andre Hunter; niece, Rhonda Cook and Vanessa Stanback-Cook; five great-nephews, Johnathan "Yah" as he would say, Jaquan "Jay" Joseph, Michael, and Marquise; one great-niece, Cassandra Hunter; along with a host of cousins, other family members, friends and last but not least his cousin Bubba Joe who also stuck by him until the end.

He will truly be missed.

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