Lewis Hart Obituary

MIDDLETON — Mr. Lewis James Hart, 79, of Essex Street, Middleton and West Newbury, Vt., beloved husband of Patricia Hooker (Welch) Hart, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2009, peacefully at his home surrounded by his family following a lengthy and valiant battle with cancer.

Born in Boston, he was the son of the late Louis P. and Margaret (Moran) Hart. He was raised in Boston, and was a graduate of Dorchester High School for Boys, Class of 1944. He continued his education at Suffolk University, graduating in 1957 and he also attended Suffolk Law School. During his time in college he attained the distinction of being mentioned in the Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities Among Students. Lewis met the love of his life, Patricia during their college years in Boston and began a marriage and partnership that would last fifty years. They were married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Bradford, Vt., on Aug. 2, 1959.

An honorably discharged veteran, Lewis served his country as a member of the United States Army. He served with the United States Atomic Energy Security Agency and Commission in Albuquerque and Los Alamos, N.M. during the Korean War.

Lewis began his 55 year retail career with the thirty five department store chain, Gorin's Inc., the umbrella company of Almy's Stores, with a main office in Boston. He worked his way up through various positions and retired from the Company in 1984 as Director of Store Operations and Assistant Treasurer. He matriculated on to the former Rich's Department Stores, of which he was associated with for over thirteen years retiring in 1996. Lewis was a forty two year resident of the Town of Middleton, where he raised his family. He was chairman of the Middleton Planning Board during the 1970's and 1980's and he was a charter member of the newly formed Middleton Recreation Commission. He coached and volunteered with Middleton Youth Basketball and Baseball. He was a member of the American Legion Post 227, in Middleton and was a past president of the Nashua, N. H. and Revere Businessman's Associations.

Above all else, Lewis was a family man. He treasured his time spent with his loved ones at their family cottage on Halls Lake, West Newbury, Vt., where they spent many summers and holidays.

In addition to his loving wife of 50 years, Lewis is survived by his daughter, Patricia Ann (Hart) Roque and her husband Timothy F. of North Andover; his son, James Hooker Hart of Bradford, Vt. and Middleton; his grandchildren, Timothy James Darling Roque and Phoebe Kathryn hart Roque, both of North Andover; his sister-in-law, Donna Marie Welch Kirk and her husband Michael of Montclair, Va.; his niece, Elizabeth Kadie Sinclair and Christopher G. Sinclair; and several cousins including James and Carol Moran of Reading. He was also the brother of the late William and John Hart.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours in the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 167 Maple St. (Route 62) Danvers, Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. His funeral service will be held in the Congregational Church of Bradford, North Main Street, Bradford, Vt., Friday at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. Internment in the Sawyer Cemetery in Bradford, Vt. On line guestbook at www.legacy.com. For more information, inquire at 978-774-6600. In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in Lewis' memory to the Dana Farber Cutaneous Cancer, 11th Floor, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115 or to the Middleton Senior Center, 38 Maple St., Middleton, MA 01949.