Frederick Miles  Hunter

Frederick Miles Hunter, of Colchester, Connecticut and formerly of Paradise Valley, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home with his family, including his four daughters by his side.  Frederick was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 17, 1938, and lived a full life of 85 years.  He is the son of the late Mathew and Estelle (Drabczynski) Hunter.  After an upbringing dedicated to his education, Frederick obtained his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.  He continued his education at Arizona State University and received his Master’s in Business Administration.  He began his career with Motorola and passionately served as Program Manager overseeing government missile systems projects.  Frederick remained with Motorola for more than forty years through to his retirement.  Even after retirement, he served as a critical consultant in management of government contracts for General Dynamics. 

Frederick married his beloved wife, Shirley Mae Zarzycki on August 25, 1962.  They had four daughters together and relocated to Arizona in 1969 where they remained for over 50 years.  They were members of the Our Lady of the Angels Church @ The Franciscan Renewal Center, Paradise Valley, Arizona and years ago at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona.  As they raised their daughters, some of their favorite past times were spent fishing, boating, and water skiing in the many local lakes in Arizona.  The couple shared 58 years together before Shirley predeceased him on May 25, 2020.  Soon after her passing, he moved to Colchester, Connecticut to live with his oldest daughter, Lisa, and her family. 

In his retirement as an avid collector, Frederick was most passionate about his collection of Lionel trains and amassed one large collection over the years.  He dedicated his time to serving as Past President of the Train Collectors Association, Desert Division as well as Lionel Collectors Club Association. He attended many regional gatherings with other train collectors.  Frederick and Shirley also loved traveling to new places across the world including Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and sailed on many cruises across the seas.

Most importantly, Frederick was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  His daughters, a large extended family and his grandchildren will remember him for his strong will and work ethic, passion for education, expertise and joy of grilling chicken and salmon, and the time they spent together on family holiday gatherings.

Frederick will be sadly missed but always remembered with love by his daughters and their husbands, Lisa (Richard) Anderson, Anita Hunter, Colette (David) Kress, Jennifer (Patrick) Husting and his grandchildren, Aaron (Marisa) Anderson, Ariann (Alex) Anderson, Adam (Lydia) Husting, Darren Husting, Brian Husting, David Kress Jr., Dillon Husting, Matthew Kress, Connor Goudy, and Nicolette Goudy, and many extended family members and friends.  In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Arlene Gawlicki. 

A memorial mass will be celebrated in Arizona on Friday, May 24, 2024, at 11:00 AM at The Franciscan Renewal Center, Our Lady of the Angels Church, 5802 E Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85253. A reception will take place after mass at the Phoenician Resort, Tavern Roadhouse 6000 E. Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251 from 12:15 to 2 PM. The Family will Inter in the St Francis Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum following reception. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to a charity of one's choice in honor of Frederick. The Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester has been entrusted with the care of arrangements.