NEWPORT – Thomas Turner Hart passed away March 15, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. Tom led an interesting and varied life. He was Navy jet carrier pilot, Army Mash Unit helicopter pilot, mechanical engineer, inventor and land developer. He was particularly attracted to toys and owned at one time or another a motorcycle, Corvette, backhoe, bulldozer, two fire trucks, road grader, numerous boats, kayaks and a submarine he built himself; and he used his toys. He set out to ride every road in central Maine on his motorcycle, circumnavigate South Florida through the Okeechobee Waterway and drive his boat from Bangor to Wethersfield, Conn., in less than 24 hours. In addition to his flying jobs, he served his Newport community in various capacities, including police officer, volunteer firefighter, selectman and president of the lake association. He was very concerned with the health and well being of Lake Sebasticook, which was his front yard. He voluntarily designed and built a hydraulically controlled flash board for the dam in Newport to more easily control the height of the lake. Tom loved to travel. In addition to his all expense paid trip to the Mediterranean courtesy of the U.S. Navy, Tom sought out warmer climates to escape the Maine winters. For several seasons he lived aboard one of his boats, which he trailered from Maine to Cross Key, Fla. He also wintered on Lake Havasu in Arizona. His favorite place was Australia. He made multiple trips there, where he crisscrossed the country by plane, train and drove across the outback by automobile. Tom is survived by his brother, Charles H. Hart; sister-in-law, Marty Hart; nephew, William T. Hart and his wife, Melissa; nephew, Robert C. Hart and his wife, Nicole; seven great-nephews and great-nieces, all of Wethersfield, Conn.; and his niece, Sarah E. Hart of Taos, N.M. The family thanks his friend and companion, Deanna Thompson who helped Tom immensely as he courageously battled his disease. Deanna was constantly by his side for the last two months of his life. The family also thanks the doctors, nurses and staff who worked diligently to try to keep Tom comfortable in the Hospice Unit at Togus Veterans Affairs Hospital. Tom’s wish to help future medical professionals was realized as his body was accepted by the University of New England School of Medicine for medical research and teaching. We quote the following from Tom’s statement of interment, cremation and wishes: “My further wishes and directives are as follows: There is to be no funeral of any kind, nor the sending of flowers or cards. Instead, use the money to have a cold one for me. If you want closure – put the cap back on the bottle. This request shall be printed in all obituary notices.” Here’s to Tom – fly high, sail fast and rest in peace.
THOMAS TURNER HART
