Mr. Philip Spencer Hart, 91, a well known resident of Williamstown died Tuesday, Feb. 4 at his residence at Sweetwood.
“Phil was a man of the finest character; a selfless man; he always had a kind word to say, always had a smile on his face,†said Steven Wiehl, who now owns Hart’s Pharmacists at 40 Spring St., which Mr. Hart, and his father before him, owned for many years.
“He was the finest example of a man that I ever knew. He practiced all the principles of his faith,†said Wiehl. “He was a flawless man, a fine gentleman and human being.
“Up until a few months ago, even when he was in lot of pain with his knees, he’d drive to the front of store to pick up prescriptions to bring to Sweetwood. He never complained.
“He projected a specialness; he was just a fine guy,†said Wiehl. “He’d always leave you in a better place. I’m going to miss him.â€
Hart was born in Springfield, Mass. October 26, 1911. He was the son of the late Walter James and Mary Ann (Spencer) Hart. He received his early education in Springfield and was a 1930 graduate of Springfield Central High School. He later graduated from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 1934.
Philip worked at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy for two years before moving to Williamstown where he was employed in the Williams College Chemistry Dept.
In 1942 Philip enlisted in the United States Army. During WW II he served in the Second Evacuation Hospital Unit. Following his discharge in 1945 he returned to Williamstown and purchased Harts Drugstore in Williamstown where he worked as a licensed pharmacist.
On January 26, 1946 he married the former Lucy Lyons. Mrs. Hart died May 29, 1976.
Mr. Hart was a member of Saint Patrick‚s Church in Williamstown. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 152, the Berkshire County Pharmacy Association and was a Past Harper Center Director. As a business owner he was active with the Williamstown Board of Trade and for many years served at the Information Booth in Williamstown.
Survivors include a niece Mary M. DeBlieux of Pittsfield, two nephews, John F. Lyons Jr. of Washington D.C. and Joseph P. Lyons of Amherst, and several great nieces and great nephews.
The funeral will be held from the George M. Hopkins Funeral Home, 67 Spring St. Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. with a prayer and then from Saint Patrick’s Church at 11 a.m. where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered.
The burial will take place in the family lot in East Lawn Cemetery.
Friends may call at the George M. Hopkins Funeral Home Friday Feb. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m. when the family will be in attendance. The Wake Service will be offered Friday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Philip Spencer Hart may be made to either the North Adams Regional Hospital or Saint Patrick’s Church through the office of the George M. Hopkins Funeral Home 67 Spring St. Williamstown, MA 01267.
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McCann Recognizes Superintendent Award Recipient
By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
Landon LeClair and Superintendent James Brosnan with Landon's parents Eric and Susan LeClair, who is a teacher at McCann.
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Superintendent's Award has been presented to Landon LeClair, a senior in McCann Technical School's advanced manufacturing course.
The presentation was made last Thursday by Superintendent Jame Brosnan after Principal Justin Kratz read from teachers' letters extolling LeClair's school work, leadership and dedication.
"He's become somewhat legendary at the Fall State Leadership Conference for trying to be a leader at his dinner table, getting an entire plate of cookies for him and all his friends," read Kratz to chuckles from the School Committee. "Landon was always a dedicated student and a quiet leader who cared about mastering the content."
LeClair was also recognized for his participation on the school's golf team and for mentoring younger teammates.
"Landon jumped in tutoring the student so thoroughly that the freshman was able to demonstrate proficiency on an assessment despite the missed class time for golf matches," read Kratz.
The principal noted that the school also received feedback from LeClair's co-op employer, who rated him with all fours.
"This week, we sent Landon to our other machine shop to help load and run parts in the CNC mill," his employer wrote to the school. LeClair was so competent the supervisor advised the central shop might not get him back.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more