Michael Hart

Michael J. Hart, 73, a resident of Davenport, passed away on Tuesday January 26, 2021 at his Handicapped Development Center home, attended by loving staff.   A Memorial Mass will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, January 30, 2021 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, downtown Davenport.  The Mass will be livestreamed/recorded by visiting St. Anthony’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFcpGJB4b6cbWTDvn-c14EA . Burial will take place at a later date in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Handicapped Development Center or Vera French.

Michael Joseph Hart was born on March 17, 1947 in Washington, D.C., to Phyllis Ann (Kerper) and Stephen Hart, Jr.  Michael grew up in a very loving and supportive family, the fourth of twenty children, where he was a gentle mentor to his siblings.  He had a paper route for many years with his brothers and sisters, willingly helped with daily chores, and patiently taught several siblings how to ride a bike.  As a “Saint Patrick’s Day Child”, Michael loved his birthday and the celebrations surrounding his special day.  In 1966, Mike graduated from Davenport Central High School.  Mike always worked when able, for the past many years at HDC where he was very engaged and was recognized early on by staff as a real rock star.  Michael’s parents strongly believed in Mike reaching his full potential and were instrumental in developing local services for those who desperately needed options in order to thrive.

Mike was an absolute inspiration to his many siblings who are better people because of his lifelong struggle, determination and perseverance.  He found joy within his challenges; his laugh was loud and contagious.  Mike was unapologetically irreverent and had a tremendous sense of humor.  He was politically incorrect and relished being so.   He loved food in general, but ice cream was a particular favorite.  Mike enjoyed traveling when he was younger, family life, baseball, the Central Blue Devils, the Iowa Hawkeyes, current events, and global issues.

Those left to cherish Mike’s memory are his siblings: Mary Hart, Iowa City, Iowa, Ann Hart Wernz (Bill), Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pat Hart (David Major), New York City, New York, Margaret Hart (Ralph Mohr), Minneapolis, Minnesota, Therese Hart (Mizan Khan), Willimantic, Connecticut, Thom Hart, Davenport, Iowa, Linda Hart, Moline, Illinois, Brian Hart (Julie), Des Moines, Iowa, Kathy Hart (Armando Tasistro), Watkinsville, Georgia, Dan Hart, Fort Myers, Florida, Maureen Hart (Bill Schmidt), Princeton, Iowa, David Hart (Mary Zabriskie), St. Louis, Missouri, Jim Hart (Lisa), Ted Hart (Anita), all of Kansas City, Missouri, Lisa Hart (Tom Abbott), Petersburg, Alaska, and Jeni Hart (Fergus Lynch), Seattle, Washington; 46 nieces and nephews, 27 great nieces and nephews, aunts and uncle, John and Madonna Hart and Pat Moriarty; many family and friends at HDC.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Stephen, B.J., and Kevin, in-laws Le Wirth, Sue Johnson and Jane Hart.  May they rest in peace.

The Hart family extends its love and gratitude to Michael’s friends and staff at the Handicapped Development Center for their loving and extraordinarily compassionate care of Mike.  He was blessed to have been surrounded by such dedicated care.  The HDC staff and residents became Mike’s family and he found his adult home with them.  May perpetual light shine upon Michael.

“But since it falls unto my lot

That I should rise and you should not

I gently rise and softly call

Goodnight and joy be with you all.”

- The Parting Glass