Christopher D. Hart

Christopher David Hart, 41, of Canterbury, beloved husband of Audrey (Crider) Hart passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, in the company of his loving family after a 4 year battle with cancer. Chris was born June 28, 1983, in Willimantic to David J. and Joyce A. (Burr) Hart of Canterbury.
From a young age, Chris had a love of learning and was an avid reader. His favorite subjects were history, geography, and he loved studying maps. He enjoyed family trips to Disney World, taking many vacations there throughout his life, including with his own children and family. Chris was a 2005 Graduate of the University of Connecticut, at which time his sister introduced him to the love of his life, Audrey. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture. Chris loved music and attended many shows throughout New England with his family and friends. Chris was a member of the band "Band Practice", where he played the bass guitar. Chris was a beer enthusiast and enjoyed a good IPA and also dabbled in home brewing.
From childhood, Chris played an integral role in the growth and success of his family business, Hart's Greenhouse. He grew up in the greenhouse with his sister, helping wash produce and filling pots with soil by hand. Later on, he was a genius at greenhouse automation, taking the business to the next level. He implemented many innovations, including the use of robotic transplanters and computerized environmental controls. Chris was a finalist for the American Horticulture Young Greenhouse Grower of the year. Chris was a jack of all trades, from fixing furnaces, to unloading truckloads of soil, to helping his son build complex Lego sets. His true passion was building greenhouses, he constructed acres of greenhouse space throughout his life, including during his cancer treatments.
In 2020, Chris was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. He was a true warrior, never complaining once during his battle. While he fought, he continued to nurture his family, raise his children, and work to grow the family business. He never let the disease slow him down. You could find him delivering plants, welding metal or managing daily operations on any given day. Besides his wife and parents, he leaves his son Addison Hart, age 8, and his daughter Margaret "Maggie" Hart, age 5, who were the light of his life; his twin sister Jessica and her husband Jeffrey Coit and their children Charles and Julie Coit; his maternal grandmother Marsha Burr.
The Visiting hours will be Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 3:30 pm until 7:00 pm at Dougherty Brothers Funeral Home, 595 Norwich Rd, Plainfield. Family and friends are welcome to attend a funeral service on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 10:30 am at the funeral home. A visitation will be held one hour prior. Burial will follow in Carey Cemetery, Canterbury. A reception will be held at the Hart Family home, 68 Tracy Rd. Canterbury afterwards.
The Hart Family is establishing a scholarship fund in Chris' memory to a deserving individual pursuing a horticulture degree. The Christopher Hart Memorial Scholarship Fund, donations may be mailed to Berkshire Bank, 180 Westminster Rd. Ste 1, Canterbury, CT 06331 c/o Danielle Benoit.