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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Winter Storm Warning Issued for Berkshires
Another snowstorm is expected to move through the region overnight on Friday, bringing 5 to 8 inches of snow. This is updated from Thursday's winter weather advisory.
The National Weather Service in Albany, N.Y., has posted a winter storm warning for all of Berkshire County and parts of eastern New York State beginning Friday at 4 p.m. through Saturday at 1 p.m.
The region could see heavy to moderate snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour overnight, tapering off Saturday morning to flurries.
Drivers should exercise caution on Friday night and Saturday morning, as travel conditions may be hazardous.
Saturday night should be clear and calm, but warming temperatures means freezing rain Sunday night and rain through Monday with highs in the 40s. The forecast isn't much better through the week as temperatures dip back into the teens with New Year's Eve looking cloudy and frigid.
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