Halver A. Hart, Jr. ’45

Halver A. Hart Jr., “Skip,” died peacefully Feb. 2 at the Maine Veterans Home in Augusta with his family at his side.

Skip was born in the family home May 9, 1925 to Hazel (Annis) and Halver Hart of South Hope. Skip received his early education at the one-room school in South Hope. He attended high school in Union and when not receiving rides from neighbors, he ran or skied cross-country the five miles to and fro. He spent a year at Hebron Academy and later graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1945. During WWII he served in the Merchant Marines and was discharged just after the war ended.

At the University of Maine in Orono Skip was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in business. It was at UMO that Skip met Olive (Coffin) Hart, marrying June 20, 1948.

Skip loved baseball and played during high school in Union as well as at Hebron Academy, at UMO and after graduation in adult leagues for many years. He later coached Babe Ruth and supported a grandson throughout his competitions.

In his early years Skip enjoyed fishing of all types, taking annual forays into the deep Maine woods with his friends, later competing in bowling leagues, square dancing, camping, fiercely competitive ping pong tournaments, and water as well as alpine skiing. He raised all four children to be skiers. He loved to share and passed many of his passions on to his children and grandchildren.

Skip began his career at Maine Blueberry Growers – the Hart family has had and continues to have a large presence in the Maine blueberry industry spanning five generations. He worked many years at the Sylvania Electric plant in Waldoboro as supervisor and later as assistant general manager. In 1970 he focused his work life on the development of his own business, Hart Lawn and Garden Center.

Starting with his first pony as a boy, one of the great passions of Skip’s life was horses – raising, breeding, training and showing Morgan horses under the farm name of Kwinwood Morgans. Over the years his farm grew in size, reputation, and respect, with significant success in the local, state and eventually national level. He was a member of the Maine Morgan Association.

Under his guidance, leadership and support, a pheasant cooperative was formed. He brought many friends into the sport, encouraged his children and mentored his grandsons. Three generations of family frequently hunted pheasant ‘over’ various bird dogs on Clary Hill in Union with Skip.

He is predeceased by his parents and all four siblings, Arthur and Elmer Hart, Edith Tuttle, and Ann Dickens.

Skip is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Olive “Ollie” (Coffin) Hart of North Nobleboro; son, Jim Hart and wife Cindy of South China; daughters, Julie Sherman and husband Rob of Bowdoinham, Chris Longley and husband Walter of Litchfield, and Vicki Hart of Woolwich; grandchildren, Nick Sherman and wife Rattana of Durham, Shawna Sherman of Seattle, Wash., Jake Hart and partner Ashley of Lewiston, Martha Hart Smith and husband Billy of Gorham, Jason Longley and wife Hannah of Litchfield, and Stewart Hanley and fiancée Mackenzie Penniman of Bristol and South Portland; and four great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be held from 5-7 p.m., Sat., Feb. 6 at Hall’s Funeral Home in Waldoboro. A celebration of Skip’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Sun., Feb. 7 at Hall’s Funeral Home in Waldoboro with a reception to follow.

Donations may be made in Skip’s name to The Maine Morgan Horse Club Inc., c/o Shirley Goodspeed, 155 Whitmores Landing Rd., Arrowsic, ME 04530.

To extend online condolences, light a candle in Skip’s memory, or to share a story or picture, please visit his Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

Hall’s of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.