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John Hart Obituary
Twelve years ago, on the Akron-to-Pittsburgh shuttle, John Patrick Hart noticed a flight attendant showing photos of her two young children to a friend. He started making a point of using that shuttle. Five flights later, he asked the attendant out to dinner — but only if she would bring her children.
"He knew I was a single mom and that was my life," said Laurie Hart, his wife of 10 years. "We went bowling and had pizza. The next morning, a huge, beautiful spray of two dozen roses came."
That date set the tone of their life together. They always did things as a family: long walks, bike rides, pizza dinners.
Mr. Hart, a technology specialist at Franklin Templeton in San Francisco, where they had recently moved, was scheduled to attend a seminar in New York on Sept. 9, at Fiduciary Trust. He uncharacteristically put off packing. "I can't get into it," he told his wife. "I want to stay home with you and the kids."
But on Sept. 13, she was to join him for a long weekend of plays and restaurant dinners. The two elder children agreed to care for the two younger ones. It was to be, Mrs. Hart said, their first weekend alone since their marriage.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
David Bock
April 27, 2025
John Hart was a good friend I met a KeyBank in Cleveland. He invited us to join his church, which we did. We share several 'double dates' as couples. We last saw John on September 10, 2000 at their home in Danville, CA. I finally visited the 911 Memorial site yesterday after 24+ years. Very emotional. I still miss my friend.
Kathy Bock
September 13, 2023
Your never forgotten.
Chris Reichert
September 12, 2023
Miss you John everyday! Love you❤
Tracy Massey
September 11, 2023
Mary, I will never forget.
Tracy Massey
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Christine Reichert
August 15, 2021
Love you John! You are with us everyday! Never forgotten❤❤
Jeanine Hart
August 14, 2021
John, As the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 quickly approaches, please know that we love you, remember and honor you with every day and year that passes. Hugs my dear brother!
Kim Brown
September 11, 2020
Laurie, thinking of you and your beautiful family especially today. Hoping you are all well. Wanting you to know John will always be remembered
christine hart reichert
September 11, 2020
We all Love and miss you everyday John.
Deb Sulin
September 10, 2020
September 11 2001 a day everyone wants to forget.
John Hart a fabulous man I will NEVER forget.
GOD bless Johns family but know your ANGEL holds you in his arms daily.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Gordon Haberman
August 17, 2020
My condolences as yet another anniversary approaches.
My name is Gordon Haberman, father of Andrea Lyn Haberman who was killed at the WTC on 9/11. I am President of the organization which is building the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial in Kewaskum WI. I wanted you to know that John will be recognized at the Memorial on one of our granite pavers in the walkway of the memorial with others killed that day from Wisconsin.
Please view our progress on our website https://www.wisconsin911memorial.com/ It would be an honor to have Johns family at the opening of Wisconsin's official 9/11 memorial.
Gods blessing of peace to Johns family.
Mary Dalton
September 11, 2019
I had the pleasure of knowing John & his wife while we were members of the Akron Jaycees. I remember his kind and caring personality. It was evident he deeply loved Laurie and their children. He lived and died sacrificing his life for others!
We will never forget John and the others who lost their lives on this dreadful day in 2001.
Tina
September 11, 2019
I had never had the pleasure of meeting you. I did however, know your family. Your pictures all over the walls. Your presence everywhere in that house. The stories of you that Laurie would tell me with such love in her eyes and voice. I felt as though I did know you. Everything Ive heard of you, read of you...just proves what a man you were. A wonderful man. Peace John.
Never forget.....
Jeff Russell
September 10, 2019
I will never forget the soft spoken and kind gentleman i knew through our time spent at Kaufmanns dept store at Chapel Hill Mall.His wonderful and devoted wife would always ckme in the sture and pick out items for him to come back and try on later,since his career kept him often too busy too come whth her.The tradegy that took him from all of us will never be forgotten nor will he Rest in Peace Jeff Russell
Christine Reichert Hart
February 27, 2019
Happy Birthday John!! Love and miss you everyday.
We will never forget!! Thank you for all the blessings sent our way. I know you are caring for all of us.
Loving sister Christine
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2018
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2018
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2018
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2018
NYC
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2018
John and Jeanine at Mammoth Mountain, CA
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2018
John and his Mom, Betty.
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2018
Lisa Gilson
September 11, 2018
You are not forgotten, John Patrick. 770am Crawford Radio
Christine Hart Reichert
February 26, 2018
On the eve of your birthday I lay here thinking of you. Forever young at age 55. John you are missed on this earth everyday. I know you are watching over all of us. All my love❤
Chrissy
John & Laurie
February 23, 2018
Eau Claire, WI
February 23, 2018
We will never forget you
Mary Hart Meixelsperger
September 9, 2017
Christine Reichert Hart
September 8, 2017
John
Another year another anniversary! Forever young! Miss and love you.
Christine. Xxxooo
Daniel Kubit
January 14, 2017
John, I have been looking for you for a long time and now I found you, but not the way I wanted to. You were greatest young man that I ever knew. sad day
Dan Holland
September 11, 2016
The Hollands here on Gerbera Street think of the Hart family often. We'll never forget the kind man that John was and will always be. We wish the best for Laurie and the kids.
Myra Adams
September 11, 2016
Many days you and your family have been in my thoughts and so I ask God to bless them and keep them close to each other and the Lord.
Cyndee Burke
September 11, 2016
As the years pass, those of us that worked with John at KeyBank will never forget John's compassion, managerial courage, and strong Christian faith. I know it was that strong faith and sent him back to save others. How many of us would've done that! God blessed us to know this courageous man. God Bless the Hart Family.
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2016
John, it is unbelievable it is 15 years later. Our children are grown, we have grandchildren and great grandchildren, and we live everyday remembering you and carrying on in your memory, knowing that you, Mom, Dad and Jim all shine your love down on us each and every day. Love and remember you forever!!
John's Memorial between is parents in Eau Claire, WI
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2016
James, Jr. Christine, Jeanine, Mary & John, Circa 1963
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2016
John & his father, James A. Hart, Sr.
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2016
John & Jeanine
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2016
John Patrick Hart
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2016
Jeanine, Mary & John
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2016
Christine Reichert Hart
September 10, 2016
Hi John❤The fifteenth year is tomorrow. Seems like yesterday. You are loved and missed here on this earth everyday. Stay close to us John. Forever young❤Love your sister Christine
Deb Sulin
September 10, 2016
Forever grateful to have know this wonderful man . He gave me an opportunity at KeyBank and believed in me. Laurie and family always in our thoughts and prayers.
Christine Hart reichert
February 25, 2016
Happy 53rd Birthday on Saturday John. Not a day goes by that speed of thought comes to me. Love and miss you. Your sister Chris
Jeanine Hart
September 12, 2015
John, another 9/11 has come and gone. We love you more with each passing year and our hearts hold you close forever. You will never be forgotten.
Christine Hart reichert
September 12, 2015
Another has year has passed. Seems like yesterday. I think of you often and know you are watching over all of us . Love you John.
Patricia S
September 11, 2015
Still thinking of you, with continued prayers of peace and comfort for your family!
Mary Kay Lein
September 11, 2014
Still, all these years later, I think of you and your family, John. I smile when I see the YMCA in Eau Claire and think back to our Day Camp memories! May God continue to provide your family with hope and peace.
Nancy Hanson
September 11, 2014
My family and I will never forget u John!!!
Jaime Reichert
September 11, 2014
We miss you and you will never be forgotten! Give Gram and Gramps a kiss for me x o
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2014
13 years later...seems like yesterday. Love you forever John Patrick Hart.
Christine Hart Reichert
September 11, 2014
Love and Miss you John! A day never goes by that you are not with me. I sit here this morning and remember. I will never forget. Sister, Christine
TH
September 10, 2014
Today 9/10/2014, we remember you John. Our thoughts are with your family members. We will never forget.
Sept 2014
Rosanne Rosenberger
September 10, 2014
I was in NYC last week - hadn't been there since the memorial was finished. Took a walk over to look for my old KeyBank co-worker's name. The first marble slab I came upon had his name right in the middle. It took my breath away. Prayers are for John today.
R N
May 28, 2014
I was drawn to Oakwood Cemetery today. What a beautiful and peaceful resting place. While driving past all the memorials and flowering trees and plants I came upon the bench and marker for John Patrick Hart. Wow...what a calming and beautiful spot. I then found this site out of curiosity because I did not know the history of John and 9-11-01....My thoughts and prayers to you and your family. I was able to find peace and serenity at Oakwood today while praying at John's site. Thank you!!!
Susan
September 12, 2013
As always, Jamie, Chris and the rest of the Hart Family, on this day you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
September 12, 2013
Dear Laurie, Jeff, Amy, Ty, Westin, and Emily,
You are all in my thoughts today as we remember your dad.
Today I told 143 students about what a special guy he was. As I taught them about 9/11, I could see them struggle with why such a terrible Thing happened. I then explained that I promised all of you that we would never forget, and that I needed them to help. I asked them all to do a 'kindness' to someone after I showed them the "kindness boomerang" YouTube video . I explained how 9/11 is a nationally recognized day of service to honor people like John. Tomorrow the students will work on a project that will use all the kindnesses they completed to commemorate 9/11 and your dad. I will send a picture when it is complete. We will NEVER forget all the heroes of that tragic day, especially John Patrick Hart.
I know he is so proud of all of you, and that you will see him again in heaven one day.
Love,
Jeanne
Cassie Phelan
September 11, 2013
Thinking of you xoxoxo
Cyndee Burke
September 11, 2013
I'm a KeyBank peer that thinks of John often and the courage it took to walk back into the frey to bring others out. Always a man of faith and a hero.
Brenda Ptak
September 11, 2013
You are never forgotten. I think of you and your sense of humor everytime I see my San Fransico sweat shirt.
September 11, 2013
Big hugs to all of you.
September 11, 2013
Laurie & family,
I remember John and think of you all more often than you'll ever know, not just on 9/11. Hope you are all doing well. Sounds like you are one busy grandma these days!! Please let us know if you ever make it out to California and we will do the same if we head your way. Would love to catch up!
Take care & God bless you all.
Shawna
Mary Mero
September 11, 2013
The Hart family was the first family I met when I came to Eau Claire in 1969. John was just a little boy. John, Mary Beth and Sandy were in our Gymnastics Aquatics School and they were so much fun to work with. Jeanine was a member of my Women's Gymnastics Team and I visited their home so many, many times and I was always welcomed by them and Jim and Betty. This is a family that had so much love for each other and John was such a gentle soul in so many ways. He had such a great laugh and wonderful sense of humor. He had a heart that he was always helping others. I'm blessed to have known him and this family touched my life for ever. Thank you for being who you all are wonderful and good people. God bless
Holly Mittelstadt
September 11, 2013
I will never forget. I hope you and Miles are up in heaven having a chat and a cold one together talking over the days you spent together as kids
Kathryn Cox
September 11, 2013
Love and God's blessings goes to your family John-
Love your cousin Kathy Cox (Mittelstadt)
Robert Gurney
September 11, 2013
Every year I think of you. Hope the hunting is good in heaven. Miss you.
Jeanine Hart
September 11, 2013
John, we love and remember you every day!! Xoxo
Dennis Weckerly
September 11, 2013
Remembering a great man and father today.
God Bless,
christine reichert
September 10, 2013
Love and miss you John!!!! Seems like yesterday.....Chris
Deb
September 9, 2013
I had the pleasure of knowing this wonderful man and think of him often. Thank you John, your our angel now.
Christine Hart reichert
August 15, 2013
Love and miss all of you. Give a birthday kiss to mom for all of us!! Xxxx. Chris
Jeanine Hart
August 14, 2013
Yesterday would have been mom's 90th birthday. Has it really been 15 years since we were all at her big birthday party? I think about all of you everyday!! Xoxo
June 28, 2013
I worked for KeyBank, and John Hart is the BEST manager I have ever had. We Miss You John.
Christine Hart Reichert
February 25, 2013
Love and miss you John!!
Christine
Wendy Smithers
February 25, 2013
Happy Birthday John
February 24, 2013
Thinking of you and missing you still everyday John!! As your 50th Birthday approaches on Wednesday, we will be remembering the amazing husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend that you were to everyone!...You truly were one in a million!!
With much love,
Laurie & kids
Aubrey Backscheider
September 11, 2012
Thinking of your family today and what a wonderful life John had. Peace with you.
Tina
September 11, 2012
Hi Laurie,
Been a long time. Thinking of you and your family today. Hope all is well.
September 10, 2012
Laurie, Amy, Ty, Jeff, Westin and Emily he is so proud of all of you! To my mom, mary, jeanine, sandy, cousins and brother thinking of you all today! Xo
Kathy Bock
September 11, 2011
Dear Hart Family,
It was been ten years since John left us it seems just like yesterday. I am so sorry for your lost. Yet, I am so grateful in being able to say I was John's friend. He really was a wonderful, honest person who was very open and sincere in sharing his love for his family and his faith. Miss you John, Hart family take care.
Love,
David and Kathy Bock
September 11, 2011
Your act of heroism will remain in my thoughts forever. You were the consummate father, husband, leader and Christian. You will always be remembered.
Cyndee Burke (former employee at Keybank)
September 11, 2011
We will never forget you John. This 10 year anniversary of that terrible day reminds us to live life to its fullest and love rather than hate. We miss you and continue to pray for your family. You would be so proud of them.
Your Cousins Don, Dave, Dick and Deb
Molly & Monte Morgan
September 11, 2011
Laurie, Jeff, Amy, Westin & Emily,
I cannot seem to think about anything else on this SAD day (WE WILL NEVER FORGET)! You are all in my thoughts and prayers today and everyday...We miss you so much John!! Laurie I miss you too!!
Love You All......
Mary Reed
September 11, 2011
John was my boss at Franklin Templeton Investments. He hadn't been my boss for long but he was one of those leaders that you come across too rarely. He was kind, professional, fair, funny, intelligent, creative, charismatic and calm. What I remember most about John was that he believed in me. He gave me a chance to run a project that others weren't sure I could handle. But John believed in my abilities and let me try, even if it meant I would fail. I'll never forget the day I was sitting with my immediate manager and John. I expressed an idea and because I was still new to this particular team,and considered green, no one gave much credence to my thoughts. But John spoke up with a vote of confidence and said, "I think Mary's right. Let's try it her way". That one phrase, that willingness to give me a chance, that belief in my abilities, meant the world to me. I naturally rose to the occasion and worked harder than I ever had before because of John's faith in me. He continued to mentor me through projects and even though he was extremely busy and had many responsibilities, he always had time to take a phone call from me. I learned much from John, including the fact that one can be a strong leader in Corporate America and still keep your soul. I was always impressed by his ability to marry his Christian beliefs with his work, proving that the two do not have to be separate entities. I carried John's management style with me every day and continued to do so even after that horrible day in September when I learned that John was in our New York office on a business trip. I especially remember that he took a chance on me and I tried hard to emulate that in all aspects of my life. In the days following September 11th, I remember having a hard time believing that John was really gone. Stories of his last minutes surfaced; stories where John was safely in the lobby but went back up to help others. Stories where he called his wife with a last goodbye. I never knew exactly what was true and what wasn't but I can certainly believe that he would have laid down his life for his fellow man. A co-worker who attended John's memorial brought back a prayer card from the service and I had that on my cubicle wall until I left the company. I still have the card today in a memory box. To John's family I am less than irrelevant. They never knew me. To those that lost loved ones, my pain is a tiny fraction of theirs. But I think about John at least once a year on 9/11. I think about his 4 children, 2 of them who were too young on 9/11 to remember him and I wonder how their lives have been. But when I remember John, I am reminded that even though we may only briefly touch another's life, sometimes those brief encounters are significant. I am glad to have known John, even though it was for the briefest of moments, and I hope that his family will read this and know that while he walked this earth he made a difference in at least this person's life.
Tina S.
September 11, 2011
I think of you and your family often. Especially on this day. Haven't seen you in a few years, but will remember you and your family always. Take care Laurie.
Aubrey Backscheider
September 11, 2011
Thoughts and prayers towards Laurie and your family today. The world needs heroes like you now more than ever. RIP
Christine Hart Reichert
September 10, 2011
We will never forget....love you..
Ray Schwartz
September 8, 2011
Oh John, I touched your name last week in NYC at the memorial - and know you are safe in arms of Jesus. You are so missed.
Christine Hart Reichert
September 5, 2011
Missing you John.....
Destiny Hart
May 5, 2011
Did John Have any family near Lexington TN or Chicago Il?
Heidi
May 3, 2011
A Bitter sweet victory for you, and all our heroes, John!
May 3, 2011
Love you John with all my heart...Christine
Mary Hart Meixelsperger
May 1, 2011
We have not forgotten you, John. You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Some justice for you today. I love you and miss you...your sister, Mary
Trip to AK - 1977
Angela Hart
April 26, 2011
Angela Hart
April 26, 2011
We think of you all the time, John. I remember the time we spent together as kids. We also remember your family.
Christine Reichert Hart
December 1, 2010
Love you.
Tina
November 30, 2010
Thinking of you and your family Laurie. Haven't seen you in quite awhile. Hope all is well. Take care and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Artie Ojeda
September 11, 2010
Shortly after 9/11 attacks, I met John Patrick Hart's sister. She was promoting a 9/11 art exhibit in San Diego. She gave met this. I've carried it ever since. http://twitpic.com/2nlr09
Tim McPherson
September 11, 2010
I was just getting to know John at Franklin back in the summer of 2001. I had heard about John before I met him. You could hear the admiration and respect of those who worked for him. I then took John's Project Management class in early August 2001. John was everything I had heard. We learned the material but we also learned how much he loved his family. By the end of class that was ingrained in my mind, this man really loves his wife and kids. And he wanted the world to know that he did.
John was in Rancho Cordova the Friday before 9/11. He was busy but took the time to check in on some employees who use to work for him. After 9/11 I was suspecting John was a fellow Christian, the next day Al Gula emailed the article from the Akron paper to everyone in IT confirming my thought. What a great witness.
I pray your family is well. I am honored to have known John, even if it was just a month.
Jeanine Hart
September 7, 2010
Get ready John....here we come!! Love you, Jeanine
Christine Hart Reichert
September 7, 2010
John, we will be there this year. You, mom and dad will be with us. Love you and miss you. Your sisters.
September 6, 2010
wishing I can change the things I know I can not...praying for peace for the people left behind...until we are all together again..we miss you
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