Crash victim called 'dedicated' lovable' man

An average guy might recoil at the mere idea of working two jobs, raising five kids and coaching or mentoring dozens of young athletes every year.

Bruce Hunter was different.

Friends said he found joy in living a busy life that revolved around his family and giving back to his community, especially youngsters who were trying to find their place in the world.

But Hunter will no longer be at the numerous track meets or community basketball and football games where he was a regular fixture.

The 41-year-old died shortly after 7 a.m. yesterday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, his family said.

Hunter suffered an array of devastating injuries in Southwest Philadelphia Friday night when, police said, a motorist speeding in a Lamborghini crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed into his minivan and another vehicle.

"He was a lovable guy," said his wife, Renata Hunter.

"He was dedicated to his children, but he was willing to help anybody, anywhere, at any time. He'd give you the shirt right off his back."

Hunter was an avid athlete himself who boxed and played basketball growing up in West Philadelphia.

His love of sports transferred to his five kids, who range in age from 4 to 25, his wife said.

He worked especially hard on improving the athletic prowess of sons Bruce Jr., 13, and Chaz, 10.

About eight months ago, his sons started running track with the Force Fields Track Club, in Wynnewood.

Hunter started helping out at the track meets, said the team's coach, Clinton Fields.

"He was a very exceptional man. I was taken back by his demeanor," he said.

Encouraging youngsters was a lifelong passion for Hunter.

He volunteered at a litany of places, including the Lansdowne Boys and Girls Club and the Ford PAL Recreational Center in South Philadelphia.

Friends said he coached girls' basketball at the Freire Charter School in Center City, led an annual summer basketball league, at 63rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, in West Philadelphia, and helped organize a summer basketball program at Haverford College.

"He had a passion for kids. He wanted to see them succeed and would do anything for them," said Officer Joe Ellervy, Hunter's cousin, who works at the Ford PAL Center.

Hunter left his job at Singer Equipment Co., in Southwest Philadelphia, about 6 p.m. Friday and was heading toward his Darby home.

About a half-hour later, police said, his minivan was struck by a Lamborghini driven by former Brookhaven cop Adam Brown on Essington Avenue near Bartram.

Brown, 29, and his passenger Geoffrey Kleiman, 60, died at the scene. *