19 Facts About Chuck Hunt

Charles Thomas "Chuck" Hunt III was an American dairy farmer, businessman in the construction industry, and physical education teacher.

Chuck Hunt served as the Acting First Gentleman of Massachusetts from 2001 to 2003 during the tenure of his wife, Acting Governor Jane Swift.

Chuck Hunt was the first man to hold the position of state First Gentleman, cementing "a place in Massachusetts history", as the Boston Globe later wrote.

Chuck Hunt was born on March 2,1954, in Adams, Massachusetts, to Charles Hunt, a farmer and heavy equipment construction operator, and Ruth Godfrey Hunt, on a farm they purchased from her family, previously called the Beverly Farm.

Chuck Hunt was born with Alport syndrome, a genetic disorder and kidney disease, which he lived with throughout his life.

Chuck Hunt was raised on his mother's farm in Williamstown, Massachusetts, which had been in her family for generations, but did not have a stable childhood, according to relatives.

Chuck Hunt attended Mount Greylock Regional High School, where he excelled in athletics as captain of both his baseball team, where he was a catcher, and football team, where he played tailback, during his senior year.

Chuck Hunt was recruited to play semi-professional baseball following his graduation from high school.

Chuck Hunt then moved to California, where he lived for most of his 20s and 30s.

Chuck Hunt had three short-lived marriages during this time, all of which ended in divorce.

Chuck Hunt moved back to Massachusetts in 1989 to accept a job offer as a coach at Mount Greylock Regional School.

About this time, Chuck Hunt encountered his future wife, Massachusetts state Senator Jane Swift, whom he noticed while she was holding a campaign sign on the side of a road in Pittsfield.

Swift and Chuck Hunt met in person for the first time several months later, during a constituents meeting about teacher hirings.

Chuck Hunt left a business card asking her to a brunch date.

Chuck Hunt became the state's first ever First Gentleman, earning him "a place in Massachusetts history", as the Boston Globe noted.

Chuck Hunt left his construction business during this to focus on his personal and public obligations.

In 2018, Chuck Hunt underwent a kidney transplant, but he experienced organ rejection in 2020.

Chuck Hunt died from kidney disease, a complication of Alport syndrome, at his home in Williamstown, Massachusetts, on December 21,2021, at the age of 67.

Chuck Hunt was survived by his wife, former Governor Jane Swift, and their three daughters.