Howard L. Hart Jr

Howard Leslie Hart Jr, 84, of Salem, NH, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his devoted family. Howard was born on June 25, 1933 to his hard working parents, Howard Leslie Hart Sr. and Ella Lillian (Russell), in Georgetown, MA. Raised and educated in Georgetown, he graduated with the Class of 1951 from Perley High School. A proud Korean War US Army Veteran, Howard was a life-long member of both the American Legion Post 122 in Methuen and the Salem, NH Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8546. He was the past commander of the American Legion. Howard worked for many years as the custodian of Barron School in Salem, NH until his retirement. Howard married the love of his life in a simple ceremony on October 12, 1957. He and Norma settled in Salem, NH to raise their family. Howard was known for having a lighthearted and mischievous sense of humor. He was a very generous and selfless man. Howard enjoyed the company of family and friends and loved to cook meals, enjoying a cold beer, especially during the holidays. He and his wife loved to travel to many different destinations. Howard was fond of collecting antique automobiles and had a large collection of Christmas figurines. Always the center of attention, he loved to make people laugh and enjoy life to its fullest. Howard who was a devoted patriot, husband and father, touched many different lives and will always be fondly remembered, loved and missed. Howard is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years of marriage, Norma T. Hart (nee Booth) and his five devoted children; his daughter, Luanne Bonanno and her husband Richard of Methuen, his daughter Lisa O’Connor of Salem, NH, his daughter, Lori Devaney of Salem, NH, his son, Howard L. Hart III and his longtime companion Margaret Seale of Salem, NH, and his daughter, Margaret Cole and her husband Jeffrey of Manchester, NH. He was the proud grandfather to his 14 grandchildren and the great-grandfather to his 8 great-grandchildren (with one on the way). He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and his brother-in-law Steve Kochakian of Georgetown, MA. Howard is also survived by the unwavering love of his life, his dog Sheba. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Shirley Walker and Barbara Kochakian and his son-in-law Robert O’Connor. Calling hours for Howard will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 from 4 – 8 PM at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home, 233 Lawrence Street, Methuen. Friends and family are cordially invited to attend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 11 AM at St. Lucy’s Parish, 254 Merrimack St, Methuen. Interment to follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, 329 Main St, Salem, NH. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Howard’s memory to any of the following organizations; Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830, The American Cancer Society, 2 Commerce Dr., #110, Bedford, NH 03110, or to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.pollardfunerahome.com. The Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home is proud to serve the Hart family.

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Howard L. Hart Jr

June 25, 1933 - November 5, 2017