It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of John Peter Hart. He died suddenly on February 21, 2015 in his home near Preston. He was 82. Peter is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary and by his parents John and Elinor (Muhlert) Hart. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Powell of North Carolina, his children, Christopher Hart and wife Susan of Rhode Island, Laura Ocker and husband Jerome of Pennsylvania, and Bruce Hart of Maryland, his nine grandchildren, his two great-granddaughters, and several nieces and nephews. Known to all as Pete or Peter, he was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 23, 1932. He had many talents & interests which included music, sailing, boat building & design, and geology. His passion for boating and love of the sea was imprinted on him at an early age by his family & friends, and much of his childhood and youth was spent along the shores of Long Island. He expanded his ambitions in music & science during his studies at Brooklyn College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. While at college, he played in the orchestra & band, played on the football team, and was a member of the Phi Delta Rho Fraternity. He was a gifted musician on several instruments but particularly enjoyed playing jazz on the trombone. His talent even earned him appearances on the Arthur Godfrey Show. A popular 50’s TV & radio variety show. After college he moved to Washington DC, & later Baltimore and began a long & successful career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. During his career as an Engineering Geologist, he specialized in the construction of dams & flood control, worked for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and also attended the University of Minnesota with studies in Geotechnology. His pursuit of excellence and his strong work ethic garnered him many government awards & commendations. Also among his many accomplishments, one which was very meaningful to him & significant, was his 40+year friendship with Bill W. Peter met & married his wife Mary, and while raising a family of 3 children, he continued with his passions in music and boating. He loved to play Dixieland Jazz on his trombone & vibes, and as a member of many jazz bands, including Pete Hart & His Hot Five and The Baltimore Night Owls, he played at many local events and also was a member of The Paint and Powder Club. His joy of sailing and his visionary outlook led him to the designing and building of a trimaran sailboat. As a result of his entrepreneurial spirit, he established the Horizon Boat Company and helped to introduce the uniqueness of multi-hulled sailboats to the Chesapeake Bay. A Maryland resident of almost 60 years, Peter spent his entire life sharing his enthusiasm for sailing and sailboat racing. He created a lifetime of joyful memories for his family & friends with years full of adventures & outings while exploring the wonders of the Chesapeake Bay. At the age of 55, Pete & Mary fulfilled their dream to retire & move to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. They continued their life of enjoyment on and around the sea and spent the rest of their lives together in their house on the Choptank River. Peter enjoyed his retirement years through the pleasures of sailing, boating, and nature. He took great satisfaction in sharing with family & friends his appreciation of the eastern shore, and the serenity & peace that came with life along the waterfront. Peter was a loving and faithful husband for 54 years to Mary until her death in 2010, and he was a loving and devoted father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren. His many areas of interest and talent are not only embraced by his family, but have influenced their lives in many ways. Among his children and grandchildren, sailing, music, and working toward excellence are identifying factors in their lives, and so his strong and vibrant legacy lives on in all of us. Thank you, Dad and Grandpa! We love and miss you very much! We will honor his memory & celebrate his life with a memorial service on Saturday March 21 at Framptom Funeral Home in Federalsburg, Maryland.
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