"Father Hart gave so much comfort and joy to my grandmother when I lived in Portsmouth. She wasn't able to attend mass and he would come to the house and minister to her. It did my heart good to see how happy nana was after those visits. I am not a catholic but I always enjoyed speaking with him during his visits he was a true messenger of God. He will be greatly missed."
In loving memory of
Rev. Thomas Bernard Hart
August 2, 1918 - January 2, 2005
Connors Funeral Home55 West Main RoadPortsmouth, RI401 683-2511Reverend Thomas Bernard Hart Warren, Reverend Thomas Bernard Hart, 86, of 568 Child Street Warren, Pastor Emeritus of St. Barnabas Church Portsmouth, RI, died Sunday, January 2, 2005 at Crestwood Nursing Convalescent Home Warren, RI. Born in Pawtucket, RI on Aug. 2, 1918, he was the son of the Late Roderick P. andOra M. Major Hart. Rev. Hart was a 1936 graduate of St. Raphael High School in Pawtucket, RI. After high school he attended Providence College for two years, and he then attended St. Bernard in Rochester, NY. Rev. Hart attended a seminary in France for a year, then returned to St. Bernards for his last five years, completing his studies in theology. Rev. Hart was ordained on March 4, 1944 in Providence, RI. Over the next 20 years he served as chaplin at URI and in various churches in Rhode Island. In 1968 he becames pastor of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth, RI, retiring in 1993 as Pastor Emeritus. Rev. Hart was chaplin to the Knights of Columbus Christopher Rooney Council in Portsmouth. He started the Legion of Mary in Portsmoiuth and was the area chairman for many years. Rev. Hart was Vicar of Newport County for many years after retiring he served as chaplin at St. Clare Home and helped out at many of the churches throughout the state. He is survived by a brother Raymond F. Hart of Warren, RI His is preceded in death by his brothers Roderick, Everett, Roy and Earl Hart and his sisters Dorothy Thornton, Beatrice Hughson and Lillian MulcahyA Mass of Vocation will be celebrated on Wednesday Evening January 5, 2005 in St. Barnabas Church at 7:00 p.m.A Concelebrated Mass of Christian burial will be held Thursday January 6, 2005at 11:00 a.m. in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Mount St. Mary Cemetery in Pawtucket. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Barnabas Church, Building Fund, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871. Hart, Reverend Thomas BernardJanuary 2, 2005, In Warren, RI .Pastor EmeritusOf St. Barnabas Church , Portsmouth, RIBrother of Raymond F. Hart of Warren, RI.A Mass of Vocation will be held WednesdayEvening at 7:00 p.m. in St. Barnabas Church .A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will held Thursday, January 6, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. inSt. Barnabas Church 1697 East Main RoadPortsmouth, RI. Relatives and friends are invitedto attend all services. Calling Hours will be heldin St. Barnabas Church, Wednesday evening from4-7 p.m.. Burial will be in Mt. St. Mary CemeteryPawtucket. Donations in his memory may be made To St. Barnabas Church Building Fund 1697 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI 02871On line Condolences and directions:www.memorialfuneralhome.com
Tributes
"Ray, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Fr. Hart was a special man. My mother, Catherine, was the organist for his entire time at St. Barnabas. She left us suddenly last March, and I am sure that she welcomed him to heaven with all the other singing angels. God Bless you."
"Ray, God Bless you and hold you in his loving arms. IT is hard to find word to say at this time. It seems our family has lost so many friends and relatives since my Dad Buddy Passed. We understand the grief you are feeling on the loss of your brother. Fr. Hart was a real family friend he will be missed by many. He had a good long life doing the Lords work now he is with our dear Lord in heaven. God Bless you and guide you through the days ahead. God Bless Claudette, Brian, Kevin and Brian Gregory Cottle Terry Burke, Kim and Chris Matte Donna, Micheal, Laura and Elizabeth Corvese Buddy Jr, April and Sunnie Shirely Souza"
"Ray, God Bless you and hold you in his loving arms. IT is hard to find word to say at this time. It seems our family has lost so many friends and relatives since my Dad Buddy Passed. We understand the grief you are feeling on the loss of your brother. Fr. Hart was a real family friend he will be missed by many. He had a good long life doing the Lords work now he is with our dear Lord in heaven. God Bless you and guide you through the days ahead. God Bless Claudette, Brain, Kevin adn Brain Gregory Cottle Terry Burke, Kim and Chris Matte Donna, Micheal, Laura and Elizabeth Corvese Buddy Jr, April and Sunnie Shirely Souza"
"Our prayers are with Father Harts brother. Our family fondly remembers Father Hart as a special part of our life. He was there when our brother Peter died in 1975 and comforted not only our family,but so many in the community. Our famliy moved away from Portsmouth in 1979 and in 1993 our dad passed away while living in Florida,we had him brought back to Portsmouth for the services.I called Father Hart to ask him as a favour to do our dad's services, he not only said yes,but after being gone for almost 15 years, he remembered my dad and mom,my brother and sisters,not just who we were but our names! He also recalled all he good things our dad had done while living in Portsmouth.He made the furneral a very special memory. He proceeded at our dad's furneral in 1993 as very special favor for us after we called and asked him. We could not think of anyone who could do a better serice to the ceremony.We know he will need no special favors as he meets with the Lord to serve at his special mass. God bless. Father Hart will always be in our prayers and our hearts."
"To Father Hart's Family. Jesus told us that there are many rooms in My Fathers house...I am sure that Father Hart has one of the best..Amen God Bless you all."