Tribute & Message From The Family
Dr. Alfred "Al" A. Hart, age 86, of Bay Village, died February 15, 2019. Al was born to parents Al and Martha Hart on January 3, 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA. During his time as a Presbyterian pastor, he served churches in Benkelman, NE, Orwell, OH, and Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Then for 29 years, until his retirement in 1998, he served as pastor of the Avon Lake Presbyterian Church. He went on to serve as Parish Associate at John Knox Presbyterian Church in North Olmsted.
A man of varied interests, Al hosted a jazz radio program, "Sounds for Sunday", on two Cleveland radio stations. The program featured religious jazz, and was subtitled, "Godly Music at an Ungodly Hour!" He was listed in a 1993 issue of "Cleveland Magazine" as one of Cleveland's 20 most interesting people, and had been the co-leader of a church-based Dixieland band, "The Elders of Jazz." For a number of years Al had a passion for Great Lakes history and especially Great Lakes ships. He was a collector, photographer and researcher, and sold Great Lakes nautical paper items (postcards, books, photos) on eBay. He served on the Board of Directors of the Great Lakes Historical Society and the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History; as well as serving as chaplain of Cleveland Lodge 4 of the International Association of Ship Masters.
He leaves behind his beloved wife of Jan Hart (nee: Doll) of over forty years; children Susan Hart and step-children Bonnie Hedges (Chris), Brin Odell (Erin); grandchildren Amber, Heather (Aric), Lexie, Peyton and Taylor; and great-grandchildren Porter and Stella. Al was preceded in death by his parents and his son Chris Hart.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Al to John Knox Presbyterian Church, 25200 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070 and the Great Lakes Historical Society 1701 Front St, Toledo, OH 43605. The family will receive friends at BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 163 AVON-BELDEN RD, AVON LAKE from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Saturday, March 2, 2019. A memorial service will be held at JOHN KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Sunday, March 3, at 2pm. (440) 933-3202 www.buschcares.com
Condolence & Memory Journal
I knew him only through our dealings on eBay and could spot a gentleman and a class act from down here in Florida. Ave atque vale.
Posted by
Phil Stager - St. Petersburg, FL - Acquaintance March 01, 2019
Dear Susan and Family,
Our deepest condolences and prayers for you and your family at this difficult time. We are praying for your peace and light through this. All our love and hope. Kc Karen Hill and Adam Dunaway / Chicago
Posted by
Karen Hill kckarenhill2@gmail.com - Chicago, IL - Friend March 01, 2019
I am so sorry to hear about Al's passing. He was a great friend to me in some very difficult times in my life. I will always remember him as the person who taught me to appreciate jazz. Please accept my condolences.
Posted by
Kenneth Wene - Richmond, VA February 27, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Posted by
- OH February 25, 2019
Loved this man with all my heart.. Al you brought so much joy and laughter to so many. Heaven received a huge bonus when you arrived.
Jan we will hold you and your family in prayer as you go through this tough time.
Love Dave and Deb
Al gave the best bear hugs and I will sure miss them
Posted by
Debbie Knox - North Ridgeville, OH February 25, 2019
Offering our prayers of sympathy may God always keep you in his memory.
Posted by
A friend February 25, 2019
My sincere condolences may the God who binds up the brokenhearted and comforts all who mourn be with you now and in the days to come Isaiah 61:1,2
Posted by
A friend February 25, 2019
My deepest sincere condolences to the family. We shared a great hobby of collecting postcards. I will always remember him with his special stories of collecting ships and the great programs that he shared with our club, Western Reserve Post Card Society.
Shirley
Posted by
Shirley Goldberg - Cleveland, OH February 24, 2019
Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. May the loving God of all comfort and promised hope strengthen you during this difficult time. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (JW)
Posted by
Alex G - Cleveland, OH February 23, 2019
Al was the minister at ALPC when my husband and I first joined. In those first couple of years I dealt with a number of traumas, including the loss of family, the knowledge my husband had an incurable illness and additional health issues within the family. So often when it seemed my prayers had gone without an answer, Al's sermons would somehow supply the lost link. From his sermons came the comfort and guidance I needed. I once told him I believed he was a messenger for the Lord. Al just smiled and said,"Thank you".
Posted by
Lynn - Avon Lake, OH February 22, 2019
To the family of Dr. Alfred A. "A" Hart,
May God bless you, praise be the God of comfort who comfort us all in our trails.
Posted by
A friend February 21, 2019
May the God of peace give you comfort during your time of bereavement.
Posted by
A friend February 21, 2019
Jan and Family,
I have good memories of growing up at Avon Lake Presbyterian Church while Al and the family were in ministry there. His sermons always had a bit of humor and a great message.
Every year the Sunday after Easter I remember the Elders of Jazz playing in the service. Not only was Rev Al our pastor he was a great musician! I still think of this so many years later!
Sending love and prayers,
Karin
Posted by
Karin (Potts) Pinto - West Lafayette, IN February 20, 2019
so sorry for your loss sue may he rest in peace
Posted by
leo maczulis - vermilion, OH February 20, 2019
February 19, 2019
My sincere condolences goes out to the family and friends of Alfred Hart. May God continue to comfort you each and every day in the time of your distress.
Posted by
Cheryl Auflick - MYRTLE BEACH, SC February 19, 2019
Whenever Al would guest preach at JKPC, he would always inject humor into his sermons. The humor always made the sermon more interesting. You will be missed.
Posted by
Steven Pfister - Strongsville, OH February 19, 2019
What a fine, fine man! I will always remember his warm, loving heart and compassionate manner. He certainly left this world a better place for his having lived among us! May God rest his gentle soul!
Posted by
Lorene Coughlin - Avon Lake, OH - Friend February 18, 2019
Jan and family, So very sorry for your tremendous loss of an absolutely wonderful man.
Posted by
Susan (Tompos) Hill Brown. Visiting in Australia - Avon, OH February 18, 2019
Al was known to the Great Lakes shipping community around the great lakes as a gentleman who enjoyed the big freighters like the rest of us. Mostly we will remember him as a gentleman, though.
Posted by
Mark Thompson - Rogers City, MI February 17, 2019
To the family of Dr. Alfred A. " Al" Hart
May God bless you , praise be the God of comfort who comfort us all in our trails.
Posted by
A friend February 17, 2019
A man whose life on this earth was an example for us all. Rest in peace with God, Al.
Posted by
Susie and Jerry Jenkins - Bay Village, OH February 17, 2019
Sending deepest sympathy from the Meakin family. Al and my brother Tom and my father Dr. Alex Meakin shared a lot of years boat nerding together, as well as the years he shared with my dad in the Presbytery of the Western Reserve. Al was a wonderfully kind presence in my family. Blessings on you all...Meg Meakin
Posted by
Meg Meakin - Albany, NY - Family Friend February 17, 2019
My condolences for your loss. May the God of all comfort sustain you now and in the days ahead. May God also grant you a measure of peace.
Posted by
B February 17, 2019
My deepest sympathy goes to the Hart family and friends, I'm very sorry for your loss. May the loving God of all comfort and hope, give you the needed comfort during this time of sadness. Psalms 94:19
Sincerely
Posted by
Tiffaney G - OH February 17, 2019
May God give your family comfort during your time of sorrow.
Posted by
A friend February 17, 2019
