Joel Ruggles Huntington, 80, West Hartford CT died April 13 2022, after a lengthy battle with lung disease. He leaves his wife Marilynn of 51 years, son John (Jennifer) of Stafford CT, and daughter Susan Kint (Richard) of Gettysburg PA. Other survivors are brother Samuel G. Huntington III (Priscilla) of Farmington CT, grandchildren Alexandra Mikowski (Paul) Cortland NY, Jacob Mierzejewski (Fareea) New Britain CT, Tyler and Julie Kint, and Benjaimin Huntington, nieces Amy Watts, Margery Huntington, Anne Black and Laura Arthur. Joel was preceded in death by parents Samuel and Madeline Huntington, brother Ronald, and son David of Niland, CA.
Joel’s schooling included West Hartford Public Schools, Loomis School, and graduation from Woodstock Country Day School, South Woodstock, Vermont. He graduated from University of Hartford with a B.A. in Speech and Drama. Joel was a Cubmaster and active Boy Scouter, one year arranging a three-day hiking trip to Mt. Washington for the Boy Scouts of Troop 12. His day job was in the insurance industry, where he worked for a succession of well-known companies: The Travelers, Aetna, Little Aetna, Connecticut General, CIGNA, and Connecticut Mutual.
For many years Joel was active in summer/community theatre, appearing in presentations at the Oval in the Grove and later the Triangle. He joined the crew as stage manager at New Britain Rep and Hole in the Wall Theatre as well as Windsor Jesters productions. Later he, Richard Michaud and Ray Vaillancourt formed the Rumple Players, a production group which specialized in entertainment at local senior residence facilities. He also appeared in a six-week run of a summer outdoor presentation of Benedict Arnold, and entertained at talent shows with his stand-up comedy routines.
A lifelong member of First Church of Christ, West Hartford, Joel served as secretary of the church’s Samuel Huntington Bowling League and organizer of the annual Antique Show fundraiser for the Women’s Guild there. He co-wrote and directed a historical pageant, the church’s entry for West Hartford’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2004, as well as an abridged performance of 300 Years in 30 Minutes for the celebration of the church’s 300th birthday. He was a regular election worker, serving as Moderator at the polls for over 15 years. Recently he participated in many activities at the Senior Centers, including the class Brain Games, which he taught for several years at Elmwood.
A memorial service will be held at First Church of Christ, 12 South Main Street, West Hartford April 21, 2022 at 11.a.m.
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