Country music icon Tommy Hunter remembered at public memorial

London, Ont.-born country music star Tommy Hunter was honoured in his hometown days after his passing at 89 years old.

A public visitation was held Thursday for Canada’s ‘Country Gentleman” Tommy Hunter in his hometown of London, Ont.

Hunter passed away in the city on July 3 at the age of 89.

Some of Hunter’s awards and accolades, including his contributions to music and to Canada, were placed near his coffin prior to the viewing.

From 1965 to 1992, The Tommy Hunter Show was a staple on Canadian Television and for many years on U.S. cable.

The show jump-started the careers of countless country music stars.

Many of them sent messages to Hunter’s family, who were present at Thursday’s memorial.

His son, Greg, expressed gratitude to his father’s many fans, “It’s just been an incredible, incredible outpouring. And it surprised me, you know, because my dad passed away at 89, and a lot of his fan base was his age as well. So, I wasn’t expecting the incredible outpouring!”

Brian Edwards, Hunter’s manager for 44 years, commented on Hunter’s irreplaceable talents, “He was such a dedicated performer to the fans that there’s never been anybody like him and never will be. I mean, he’d often say, I hope people remember me and that I haven’t been forgotten. And when one of the news articles last week received 390,000 views, I knew he hadn’t been forgotten at all.”

Hunter, who remained proud of his clean and wholesome image to the very end of his life, will be laid to rest at a private family service at a later date.