'Prince of priests' passes from Diocese

His vast experience, keen expertise and deep knowledge were generously and, as always, gently applied to the book's contents, just as they had been applied for six decades to hundreds of his fellow priests, four bishops and countless Catholics from the parishes in which he had served.

On Jan. 17 at St. Mary's Church in Hudson, Bishop Hubbard J. Hubbard celebrated a Funeral Mass for Msgr. Hart, one of the most influential and respected priests in the history of the Diocese. He died Jan. 13 at the age of 87. Survivors include his brothers, Gerard and John, both of Hudson. Interment was in Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson.

Bishop Hubbard said that Msgr. Hart's passing "marked the end of an era. He was a consummate gentleman and prince of a priest who was universally beloved by his parishioners and fellow priests."

The Bishop added that "for me personally, he was a true role model and an invaluable source of fraternal support and guidance."

A native of Hudson who was ordained in 1940, Msgr. Hart served in several parishes, directed diocesan programs, was a secretary to two bishops and advisor to two others, and headed the Priests Senate. In his nearly 60 years as a priest, he also represented the Albany Diocese at national and international events, attended the Second Vatican Council, sat on many boards and then extended his service beyond retirement, telling The Evangelist in 1997 that "the best way to use my time is to continue serving as a priest in a parish -- visiting the sick, bringing communion to the homebound, saying daily Mass, hearing confessions and officiating at funerals."

In 1940, the newly ordained Father Hart was assigned as an assistant pastor to Sacred Heart Church in Troy, following by assignments as administrator of St. James in Chatham, assistant at St. Helen's in Schenectady, administrator of St. James in North Creek, and assistant at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany. From 1940 to 1956, he was also assistant director and director of Camp Gibbons. From 1968-1988, he was pastor of St. Teresa of Avila in Albany.

From 1953-1963, he was secretary to Bishop Edmund Gibbons and Bishop William Scully, representing the Diocese at the International Catechetical Congress in Rome, Italy, and the National Liturgical Conference in Notre Dame, Indiana. He was named a monsignor in 1957. In 1962, he attended Vatican II with Bishops Scully and Edward Maginn.

Msgr. Hart was also procurator of Mater Christi Seminary in Albany, president of the Priests Senate, a diocesan consultor and vicar general. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and various boards, including The Evangelist.

Active throughout his retirement, which began in 1988, Msgr. Hart said that without administrative duties, he had "substantially more time to devote to my prayer life, to meditation and to preparation for Mass."

It might be expected that a man of his leadership qualities who was also fascinated by firehouses (he was a lifelong member of a Hudson volunteer fire brigade) would be nicknamed "Chief." But when people encountered Msgr. Hart's gentility, supportiveness and Christ-like love, "Chief" softened to "Chiefy," a sobriquet that combined the easy familiarity and unalloyed admiration he engendered in anyone who met him.

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