Harold E. "Junie" Tart

Essex – Harold E. Tart Jr., 80, of Whallons Bay, Essex, went to meet the Lord on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at UVM Health Network, Fletcher Allen, in Burlington VT, with his loving family by his side.

He was born in Port Kent on March 22, 1935, the son of Harold and Alice (Mock) Tart.

Harold was affectionately known as "Junie" and the name stuck with him through the years. His family moved to Charlotte, VT where he lived as a young child and attended his first years in elementary school. Thereafter, he moved to Essex where his parents ran the local grocery store. He attended Essex school until 8th grade and then Willsboro Central School, where he graduated in 1953.

Junie went into the US Army reserves after he graduated. He worked for the Willsboro mill for a number of years. Then, he was hired at the NYS Dept. of Transportation in Elizabethtown, where he retired.

He married the love of his life, Teresa White, on Jan 20th, 1954 and lived in the village of Essex, where he began his family. When two of his daughters were young, he trained horses and taught them how to ride. Many fun horse shows and trophies followed. Junie had a true appreciation for the beauty of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. He moved his family to Whallons Bay in 1966. He often remarked that he had the best view of the lake. After a hard day's work on the road, he was always willing (with a bit of prodding) to bring his girls out to waterski and taught a few of his grandchildren as well.

Junie was a true outdoorsman who had a passion for hunting and fishing. He loved to fish for smelt in the winter, and salmon and lake trout in the spring. One of Teresa and Junie's favorite outings was going fishing for walleye at the Four Brother's Islands. His family was raised on fresh fish and wildlife and taught the importance of living off the land. He loved to coon hunt with his blue tick dogs and brought them to Vermont for many competitions. He also trained and raised many Brittany Spaniels to pheasant hunt and passed on this love to his grandsons. In his later years, he enjoyed feeding the many birds and watching the osprey and eagles fly over the lake.

Six years ago, he developed a new passion for going to the casino. He started off going once every few months and this quickly became once every week if he could make it. He enjoyed playing the slots and enjoyed the company of the many people he had a chance to meet there.

One of his greatest joys was watching his grandchildren at their sporting events. He often gave them advice and demonstrated drills in the living room. Watching the many game shows and westerns that were on TV was another special time for them.

In 2003, Junie became the recipient of a liver transplant. In Nov. 2012, he met the donor's family. Junie and his family are eternally grateful to his donor Linda and her family. We would ask you to consider this gift of life and become an organ donor.

Junie didn't mince words, but loved a good laugh and had a sense of humor that only some would understand! He will be remembered for that most of all! He appeared tough on the outside, but had a soft spot in his heart for his friends and especially his family. Through the hard times in his life, his family was his comfort and support with faith to endure. He had a fighting spirit to live this life and believed that God had helped him through. His family has learned to "run the good race and never give up" from him.

Left to cherish his memory are four daughters, Debbie Jerdo and husband Doug of Saranac Lake, Linda Buttery and husband Roy of Concord, NC, Sharon Kinblom and husband Jeff of North River, and Pam Drollette and husband Rich of Willsboro; grandchildren, Brent Jerdo and Stacey Soubbotina and Melanie Wheaton and husband Jason, Jonathan Buttery, Sarah Patterson and husband Michael, Trevor Kinblom and wife Kim, Yana, Sasha, and Nathan Kinblom, and Aliceson and Robby Drollette; six great-grandchildren, Liam, Brennan, and Gavin Wheaton; Angelina and Sophia Jerdo; soon to be born Ellie Kinblom; two very special cousins, Bill Mock (Brother) and Mary Wade (Sister). His beloved dog, Freckles and grand-dog Muffin will miss him and his many belly rubs.

In addition to his parents, Harold was welcomed into heaven by his loving wife of 55 years, Teresa, as well as four grandchildren, Chelsea Kinblom, Lindsay Jerdo, Joshua Jerdo, and Leah Buttery.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, May 21, 2015 from 4 to 6 PM at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 22, 2015 at 1 PM at St. Philip of Jesus Church, Willsboro, with the Rev. John Mickey Demo, Celebrating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Donations in the memory of Harold Tart may be made to the Essex Rescue Squad at PO Box 72, Essex, New York, 12936.

Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 643-9055.

hamiltonfuneralhome.com

Harold is buried at: Calvary Cemetery Willsboro Essex County New York, USA

Added: 8/30/2016 10:08:04 AM - Updated: 9/19/2017 11:36:29 AM