David T. Hart, Capt. WFD Retd.

David T. Hart, Capt. WFD Retd., 77, of Deland, Florida, formerly of Warwick and North Kingstown, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2024, with his loving wife by his side, after a long-fought battle with cancer.

David was born in Providence, RI on July 12, 1947 to Harry K. Hart and Margaret (Taylor) Hart. It was in 8th grade that Dave achieved his greatest accomplishment. That was when he met the woman of his dreams. He went on to marry that young lady, Judith (Hughes) Hart, and celebrated 59 years of marriage this past September.

Dave was a proud member of the Warwick Fire Department, retiring with the rank of Captain. He was also an elevator constructor/mechanic and was instrumental in the construction of the Providence Place Mall. He went on to become the Chief Elevator Inspector for the state of RI, as well as working for the office of the state fire marshal. He later worked for the North Kingstown Police Department as a C.S.O.

In his early years, Dave became a member of Harmony Lodge #9 F & A.M. and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was a member of the Rhode Island Shriners and served in the Clown Unit and Director’s staff. He was also a recipient of the Rhode Island DeMolay Legion of Honor and Cross of Honor.

Whether you knew him as Dave, Dad, Bunky, Uncle Dave, “Super Dave,” or Buttons the Clown, he was always there to help and put a smile on your face. His lesson, learned from his father, was “if you can work with your hands, you will always find a job.” He could frequently be heard saying, “Oh, these damn hands!” He will be sorely missed by all.

In addition to his wife, Judy, he leaves his son David T. Hart, Jr., Capt. WFD Ret. and his wife, Janelle, of Exeter, RI, his daughter Diane Rogers and her husband Jim of Cranston, RI, and his son Stephen A. Hart, Capt. JFD Ret. and his wife, Alison (Dave’s Buddy) of Deland, FL, with whom he lived. He also leaves behind his eight grandchildren, Caitlyn Lawing (Michael), Taylor Travis (Micah), Christine Sugrue, Tara Fordham (Connor), Morgan Hart, Shannon Sugrue, Jessica Savastano (Carter), and Nicholas Hart (Laurelyn), and two great-grandchildren, Grayson Lawing and Rowan Travis. He is also survived by a brother, H. Kenneth Hart and twin sister, Doreen Kerzner. He was predeceased by his sister, Lois Madden.

A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 1:00PM-5:00PM at Twisted Pizza Pub & Restaurant, 915 Tiogue Avenue, Coventry, RI 02816.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 2900 Rocky Point Drive Tampa, Fl 33607 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.

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