Obituaries

Father Gregory G. Hart

Photo of Father Gregory G. Hart
Father Gregory G. Hart, 59, died in Springdale, Arkansas, on Tuesday, November 14, 2017. He was born in Kennett, Missouri March 12, 1958 to the late Edward and Christina (Kordsmeier) Hart, the fifth of six children. He attended St. Theresa Elementary School and Catholic High School, both in Little Rock. After graduation from the University of Dallas, he was assigned to the North American College, Rome, where he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology in 1985, the year after he was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Little Rock, on June 30, 1984. His parochial assignments included associate pastor, St. Patrick, North Little Rock, and Saint John, Hot Springs, before being named pastor of St. Michael, West Memphis and its Mission of Sacred Heart in Crawfordsville. He was then named pastor of St. Peter the Fisherman in Mountain Home, and its Mission of Yellville, followed by pastor of Mary, Mother of God, Harrison. In 2010 Father Hart was named pastor of St. Joseph, Tontitown, during which time he also ministered to the Latin Mass community. Father Hart is survived by his five brothers and sisters: Edward Hart (Kathleen) of Kansas City, MO; Thomas Hart (Jan), Melanie Riley (Rick), Maureen Hart of Little Rock, and Christopher Hart ( Cynthia) of Alexandria, VA. Father Hart loved being part of a large and loving extended family on both his father and mother's sides. Surviving him are 52 first cousins and 16 nieces and nephews. He was proud to have four godchildren. He loved being a priest, and he loved teaching, fishing, gardening, competing at cards and board games, and laughing loudly and often with friends at family gatherings and even in quiet movie theaters. He loved to travel, particularly on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, on the mission trail in the American Southwest, and to Shrines of Mary throughout the world. In his own words to his brother before he died, "we are all on pilgrimages our entire lives and mine is, at long last, finally coming to an end. The goal is in sight." In his last days, he exuded faith, confidence, joy and anticipation that was hard to contain. He likened his feeling to that of Christmas morning as a young boy. There will be services held at both St. Joseph, Tontitown, and the Cathedral of Saint Andrew as follows: Visitation will occur at 6 pm on Friday, November 17th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Tontitown, AR (192 East Henri de Tonti Blvd. (Hwy. 412), Springdale), with Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am on Saturday, November 18th at St. Joseph with Monsignor Scott Marczuk presiding. A reception and lunch will follow. Arrangements are with Heritage Funeral Home in Springdale. A second visitation will occur at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Little Rock at 7 pm on Sunday, November 19th, with Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur in Little Rock at 1 pm on Monday, November 20th at the Cathedral, with Bishop Anthony Taylor presiding. Interment will then occur at Calvary Cemetery in Little Rock in a private ceremony. Arrangements are with Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers Father Hart requests Masses to be offered for the repose of the souls in Purgatory. Father Greg was a faithful and loving priest for 33 years, and served the people of God well throughout. He will be missed by his brother priests, his family and extended relatives, and those he served so well in his priestly ministry.

Published November 17, 2017

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