IN MEMORIAM
Hunter Harries ‘13 The School community was greatly saddened to learn of the tragic death of Hunter Harries, Portsmouth Abbey Class of 2013, on Friday, March 7, of injuries sustained in a car accident in Washington, D.C. A resident of Maclean, Va., Hunter had been home on spring break from Rollins College, where he was a freshman. Described by Headmaster Dan McDonough as “an outgoing boy who brought great spirit to our School,” Hunter followed his brother, Henry ’10, to the Abbey, where he quickly made friends and enjoyed football and lacrosse. Mitch Kelln ’13 said, “When I came to Portsmouth Abbey as a Fifth Former, I was having a very hard time finding a group of friends. But one day Hunter and Jordan (Kenny ’13) invited me to spend my lunch period with them. From then on I knew who my true friends were.” Born in San Francisco on August 9, 1994, the fourth child of Pamela and Bradford Harries, Hunter was fun-loving from an early age. According to Brad, “Hunter found himself with enormous attention from his siblings. But one of the things that Hunter learned was, as the youngest, he could fly under his parents’ radar screen while his older siblings seemed to gobble up parental attention. I can’t count the number of times ‘Where’s Hunter?’ would be asked, and we would find him in some form of mischievous activity.” After attending Virginia public schools, he went to Saint Anselm’s Abbey School, in Washington, D.C. “If it weren’t for the lack of contact sports and girls, I would have likely stayed there for the rest of my pre-college years,” he wrote. “But, like my siblings, I decided to make the leap to boarding school.” “I was fortunate to receive an unparalleled education at the Abbey,” he wrote. “Close to everything in my life that I don’t credit to my parents, I credit to Portsmouth Abbey. I would not be the man I am today had it not been for my experiences there.” Henry reflected, “The greatest pleasure I have had in my life was watching my brother grow into a man at the same institution that shaped who I am today. I love you, Hunter.” Brad echoed those sentiments: “The Abbey was a gift to Hunter that he spoke about often. He recognized as he entered college how well he was prepared for what lay ahead. ”
tered, he would lend classmates a pencil or cover someone for a few dollars.” After graduation, Hunter headed south to Rollins. As he had at the Abbey, he settled in quickly and in short order had endeared himself to a number of fellow students and faculty. Deanna Loew, a classmate at Hunter’s at Rollins, shared: “He was a wonderful person who loved anyone and everyone, who lit up the room with his ever-present smile, and who is impossible to describe in just a few short words. The person who would lie in bed and watch ‘Rent’ and ‘Mama Mia’ for hours, screaming all the words completely off-key. The person who was trying to grow a beard and a pony tail so that he could look edgy in his Vineyard Vines.” In a writing assignment last fall, Hunter had mused, almost presciently, “When I look back on my life thus far, I can honestly say I have no regrets, and I would have done everything essentially the same. And when I look at my family, I know just how fortunate I am. I live out each and every day grateful for everything I have been given, knowing that I must be truly blessed to have been given this life I have.” In addition to his parents and Henry, Hunter leaves his two sisters, Morgan Harries Cross and Avery Harries. The Abbey Boys’ Varsity Lacrosse Team, which was in the area for its spring trip, represented the School at a memorial service held for Hunter in Washington, D.C. The School community commemorated Hunter by offering its all-School Mass in his memory when the School gathered to open the Spring Term.
“In Hunter, I knew I always had a friend,” said Connor Rodericks ‘14. “We became close during our time on JV lacrosse. I will always remember him as a happy, loving person.”
Hunter had wished to be an organ donor, and in the days following his death, 13 people benefited from the gift of his donated organs. “We take some solace in the fact that, despite our grief, some other families are having new hope for their loved ones,” said Brad.
“Hunter was a terrific friend who embodied the spirit of Portsmouth Abbey,” added classmate Sean Knowlan. But most importantly, Hunter was an intrinsically kind person. Never self-cen-
Hunter is deeply missed by his Portsmouth Abbey schoolmates, teachers and coaches, and we all mourn this profound loss. The Harries family remains in our thoughts and prayers.
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P ORTSM O U T H A BB E Y S C HO OL