John D. Hartnett

HARTNETT, JOHN DANIEL, 94, passed away at home in Bal Harbour on December 9, 2012, surrounded by love. John was born March 28, 1918, in Brookville, Pennsylvania, the youngest of five children born to Joseph John and Catherine Baxter Hartnett. John was predeceased by his beloved wife, Linda, who passed away suddenly on November 14th of this year. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey (Ethel), and his dearly loved granddaughter, Patricia, all of Fort Lauderdale, as well as his adored stepdaughter and son-in-law, Laura and Russell Carver of Pembroke Pines. He also leaves behind his niece, Elizabeth Hartnett of Winter Park, Florida, and his nephews, John Hartnett of Maitland, Florida, Tim (Susan) Hartnett of Lexington, South Carolina, and John Cook of Ocean Pines, Maryland, all of whom meant so much to him. John is also survived by his stepson, Mark Taylor, of Sacramento, California. When John was two, the family moved to DuBois, Pennsylvania, where they purchased the Hotel DuBois. John grew up in the hotel, and after graduating high school at 17, he went to New York and traveled alone by ship to Ireland, where he lived at the family farm for almost two years. Upon his return, he attended and graduated from Penn State University, majoring in hotel management. He then married his childhood sweetheart, Ellen Lovejoy. After their marriage they moved to Washington, DC, where they began to purchase property. They eventually created "Hartnett Hall", billed as "The World's Largest Rooming House," with over 800 rooms in buildings throughout the Georgetown area of Washington. In 1969 they retired to Florida, where they enjoyed traveling, golfing, exercise, dancing, horseracing, and their many friends. Ellen passed away in 1992 after 50 years of marriage. In 2000 he married his wife Linda, and they led a blessed life together, traveling and enjoying time spent with their friends until her death last month. They loved each other so much and are now together again, holding hands as always and making one another laugh. At John's request, there will be no service. A celebration of life will be held at a date to be announced. He will be missed so much by so many.