Donald Hart

Donald James Hart, age 81, of Fairview, passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge.

He was born on March 5, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of the late James W. and Lillian Freidnamer Hart.

Don graduated from Westview High School in 1955 and earned his degree in Finance from Theil College in 1959.  Don served in the U.S. Army, PA National Guard from 1959 until 1965. He became a licensed Insurance Broker for The Travelers and Hartford Insurance Companies.   He was named President of Hart, McConahy and Martz, Inc. in 1982, and served as such until his retirement from there in 2006.  Don was a leading, Life and Annuity Producer for Aetna Life Insurance Company, attending sales awards conferences in Hawaii, England and various other locations throughout the U.S.  Don was a member of Saint Jude the Apostle Church, the Erie Maennerchor Club and Lake Shore Country Club.  He was a true sports enthusiast, and had a love for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins sports teams in particular.  He enjoyed tennis, playing cards and organizing events and golf outings for groups of friends in Fairview and in Florida. Don loved the company of friends and extended family and always looked forward to yearly traditions, such as the family sleigh ride, Christmas gatherings at his home and the Weidner family Condo. Assn. Club House, and celebrating the 4^th of July at Chautauqua Lake. His greatest joy was his family and he was extremely proud of his sons and grandchildren.  He was a constant source of support and wisdom and could always be found in the stands of a swim meet, water polo match, soccer or lacrosse game.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters–in-law, Lynne Wood in 2001 and Mary Beth Weidner in 2018.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Rebecca J. (Wood) Hart; two sons, David J. Hart of Rockville, MD and Patrick R. Hart and his wife, Melissa of Fairview, PA; four grandchildren, Amanda Hart of Waldorf, MD,  Jacob, Allison and Nicholas Hart, all of Fairview, PA; brother-in-law, Gerald Weidner, of Meadville, PA; sister-in-law, Eileen Bovard and her husband, Robert, of Warren, PA; and brother-in-law, John Wood and his wife, Vicki of Fairview, PA.  He is further survived by his nieces, Emily (Luke) Armour, Molly (Jon) Fuller, Rachel (Dan) Morin, and nephews, Brendan (Pooja) Bovard, and Nathan (Katie) Bovard; as well as six great nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 W. 26th St. (at Powell) on Wednesday, October 17th from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and are invited to prayers there on Thursday, October 18th at 12:15 p.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Jude the Apostle Church, 2801 West 6^th St., at 1 p.m. with Father John Detisch presiding.  Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Erie City Mission, P.O. Box 407, Erie, PA 16512.