R.I.P.

David Hart, 60, of Kingfield, Maine passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 at Franklin Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his closest loved ones.

David was born August 11th, 1964 in Port Jefferson, New York, the son of Joanne L. Hart, née Burns and M. William ‘Bill’ Hart.

David spent his early childhood on the beaches of Long Island, NY amongst his three loving siblings. After a family move to Massachusetts, he attended Winchester High School and participated in four years of baseball, football, and wrestling before graduating in 1982. Known for his outward compassion and love for having a good time, he was adored by many. Hard-working and a naturally skilled coordinator, he worked summers among a team of painting contractors years his superior, becoming a foreman at just 18 years old.

He went on to attend Boston University where he studied hydrogeology. During college he enjoyed summers out on Gloucester’s “Rocky Neck,” living his best life among many friends: striper fishing, lobstering, and cruising the open road on his beloved motorcycle.

Eager for a challenge and an adventure, David spent the following years as owner & operator of his own successful painting contracting company before traveling the country for work. By the late 1980’s he worked with CRINC New England, a leader for its time in cutting-edge recycling technologies, involving himself in the day-to-day operations before advancing to project oversight roles in the construction of industrial-scale aluminum processing facilities.

By far his favorite time spent during these years were his humble fishing trips up to Maine with close friends. He deeply adored Maine’s natural beauty and in the early ‘90s he built himself a permanent home in the woods of Freeman Township. Traveling across New England for work and coming back to his oasis, he felt an undeniable calling within the Western Mountains of Maine.

In 1996 he had a son and was faced with his biggest challenge of all. He pondered his new life’s trajectory and soon relieved his roles in the corporate world to devote the rest of his adult life to being the best father and friend he could be.

Driven by this devotion, in the winter of 2000 he moved into Kingfield and soon involved himself within the local community. He would spend the better part of his 30’s and 40’s vying for local economic development and better opportunities for area youth and their parents.

In 2003 he co-founded the Kingfield POPS outdoor summer concert, an annual event that showcases regional musicians, youth performers, and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, aimed at supporting the arts within Franklin County’s communities through outreach to local schools. He fulfilled roles as Artistic Director among many others and was a deeply cherished advocate. He later became involved in regional music promotion for Portland-based artists as well.

Continuing his devotion to this mission alongside his lifelong love of baseball, he spent every summer in the decade following on the sports complexes of Western and Central Maine, volunteering as head coach of local Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, school, and all-star teams. He was not only known to spend extra time with struggling players, he went further to organize new regional “fall ball” leagues to keep the opportunities expanding.

"Coach Dave" as he was known; always compassionate, knowledgeable and fun-oriented, he found proficiency in this role, coaching a Franklin County all-star team to the New England championships. During many of these years he wrote for Kingfield-based publication The Original Irregular, using his voice to spread community awareness of issues and events.

Sugarloaf area ski teams, Kingfield and surrounding area basketball programs, soccer leagues, recreation programs, and the Kingfield Days organization were all graced by David’s dedicated coordination and involvement. He was truly a man you could count on and a man that cared.

David completed his mission and returned to house painting, running a successful business in the area. During this time he unwound from the day-to-day fishing and canoeing with friends and family, attending local concerts, and spending time with his son.

David is survived by his son Jonathan Hart of Kingfield, ME, his mother Joanne Hart of Methuen, MA, his sister Donna Hart and her husband Jay Schuster of Methuen, MA, his brother Steven Hart of Atlanta, GA, his sister Jacquelyn Hart of Mount Shasta, CA, his nieces and nephews Ali, Rudie, Dakota, Kaya, and Neila, and all the friends he made along the way.

David’s favorite pastime was compassion, his favorite job was being a father.

Please carry on David’s memory by supporting your local community when and where you can.

He will be dearly missed.

-- written by David's son, Jonny