Terry Hartnett

News Obituary Article

SNELLVILLE: Terry Hartnett, Publix supervisor, Habitat backer

By KAY POWELL

It wasn't enough that Terry Hartnett oversaw the maintenance of 225 Publix grocery stores, he helped build a Habitat for Humanity house every year.

An 18-year Publix Super Market employee, Mr. Hartnett was Atlanta division maintenance supervisor. He was responsible for all the work performed by outside contractors and oversaw internal services such as maintenance of bakery equipment, said Terry Abraham of Hoschton, manager of facilities services.

Mr. Abraham said Mr. Hartnett volunteered every year for the company's Habitat project. Some years he would shingle a roof or hang cabinets, other years he would install siding or insulation.

Publix has a commitment to community service, he said, and Mr. Hartnett not only built Habitat houses, he walked for the March of Dimes and supported the United Way.

"We kidded him about being the poster child for everything good about Publix," Mr. Abraham said.

The funeral for Mr. Hartnett, 57, of Snellville is 2 p.m. Saturday at Tom M. Wages, Snellville Chapel. He died of a heart attack Tuesday aboard a corporate jet returning from the company's headquarters in Lakeland, Fla.

When his son, Tim Hartnett of Snellville, was 10, Mr. Hartnett took him on a mission trip to build a church in Mexico, said his wife, Cyndy Hartnett.

"I think that was a pretty good experience for him," Mr. Abraham said. "He wanted to show his son people who are a lot less fortunate than we are."

When his son was coming up, Mr. Hartnett was water boy for his son's football teams, his wife said. His daughter, Tara Hartnett of Snellville, plays softball with Team Georgia. He's the scorekeeper and does whatever else is needed to support the team.

"He always made sure the girls had everything they needed," said the coach, Ricky Busbee of Duluth. "He'd go far beyond the call of duty of a parent. He just wanted the girls to play ball and have fun. He said it was all about the girls."

Other survivors include two brothers, Ronald Hartnett of Boise, Idaho, and Dennis Hartnett of Snellville.

© 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution