Antoon “Tony” Huntjens

It is with great sadness the family of Antoon "Tony" Huntjens announce his passing at the Charlotte County Hospital, St Stephen, N.B. on Monday, August 11, 2025.

Tony was born in Limburg, Holland in 1939. His parents, Antoon and Dirkje wanted a better life for their family and immigrated to Canada when he was 12 years of age, along with his siblings, Johannes "Jan", Hurbertina "Tinie" and Wilhelmina "Willie".

Tony spent his early years teaching in Minto, N.B. before making St Stephen, N.B. home where he continued teaching until his retirement. A dedicated family man, he and his wife Sylvia raised three children, Peter, Jane and Tanya. He loved and was very proud of his European roots and passed this heritage on to his children.

 In addition to being dedicated to teaching and home, Tony had a generous heart for his community. He took great pleasure in furthering his education and giving back to his community by volunteering with The Kidney Foundation, being active in the Kirk McColl Church and many events at St Stephen High School, where he taught for 32 years, just to mention a few.

He also had a great love for music and was very active in his earlier years sharing his talent and expertise with his many students, church family and community.

Tony had many interests and took great joy in creating, painting pictures, gardening and sports. He was a self-taught carpenter and did anything else that caught his creative spirit. Tony became an MLA for Western Charlotte from 1999 to 2010. He was a fair and compassionate public servant. In this role he championed changes to bolster the support for victims of domestic violence and the vulnerable and forgotten people in the community. He took to heart and supported politically the preservation of local historic sites, nature preserves, water and smaller woodlots.

Tony was fortunate to fall in love a second time with Madeleine. Due to his relations with Ojbwe and Peskotomuhkati Elders, he valued Indigenous wisdom and believed in true reconciliation with First Nations, Land, Water and all our relations.

Tony thrived when he was outdoors and kept busy with many projects. He finished his log cabin in Little Ridge, where he and Madeleine, made their home. Together they farmed the land, raised chickens, kayaked, canoed, and fished the river. He managed his own tree lot and sawmill which kept them warm through the winter.

In the last years of his life, Tony slowed down. However, he still enjoyed reading and learning, playing pool with friends, being generous, building projects, the peace of the outdoors and a good home-grown tomato harvest.

Leaving to cherish memories of him are his wife, Madeleine, his children, Jane (Charles Johnson) and Tanya. his stepchildren, Raphael, Sebastian-Christophe, Myra-Aume (Andy). He was a loving OPA to Derica (Russell) Buchanan, Peter Langley, Elise and Doug, great OPA to Lainey Buchanan, brother to Willie (Bill Smith) and Jan (Angela). He will also be missed by many nieces, nephews and family members who loved him deeply.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Sylvia, beloved son, Peter and sister, Hurbertina "Tinie".

A celebration of Tony’s life will be held at the Kirk McColl United Church, 70 King Street, St Stephen, N.B. on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 11 AM. 

Livestream link on Kirk McColl Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kirkmccoll/

Tony’s family wishes to thank the first responders, Dr. Kay and the staff of CCH for their swift actions, efforts and compassion shown to us at this difficult time.