William H Hart Sr

On Saturday, November 24, 2018, William H. (Bill) Hart Sr., 73 gave up his fight with brain cancer and passed into the arms of our Lord surrounded by loving family. Bill was born in Saranac Lake, NY to William C. and Doris E. (Comstock.) He was educated in Schenectady schools and graduated from SCCC. Bill joined the US Army in June 1964 and proudly served for 8 years with 2 tours of duty in Germany, 1 in San Francisco and in Viet Nam from 1967-1968 as a combat medic where he was honored with a Bronze Star with a "V" device for heroism. After discharge, Bill was employed as a nurse at GE and then changed focus dramatically. After a class at SCCC he worked and played as "Snappy the Clown" for 11 years. It was a career that brought his true personality to light. Over those 11 years he entertained thousands of children with his antics and balloon creations. Always ready to give back led him to a good will trip to Russia to entertain in children's hospitals and orphanages. That trip also gave him the added benefit of performing with the Moscow circus. As a co-founder of Clowns-on-Rounds, Bill has left a legacy of smiles and laughter to ill children and adults in several area hospitals. In 2000 Bill again sought a new path and began a career at Southwest Airlines. But it was in retirement that Bill found his passion to work with other veterans. He was an active member of AMVETS, Post 35 and DAV. His focus was to be sure that every veteran knew of their benefits and then worked hard to make it happen, He was also a member of Clowns of America International (2001 International Clown of the Year) and St. Gabriel's Men's Prayer Group. In July Bill was honored as the 2018 Older New Yorker of the Year by the NYS Assembly for his many years of volunteerism. Bill's greatest joy was his family. In 1966 he married his best friend, Kathleen Mac Donald and together they celebrated 52 blessed years. They have 2 children, Cheryl Zatt (William) and William, Jr. He loved being Grandpa to Emily Zatt and Zachary, Sarah and Caitlin Hart. He is also survived by his sister, Judy Gemmett, daughter-in-law Vicki Hart and several nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents, a sister Cheryl and brother Charles. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Bond Funeral Home 1614 Guilderland Avenue Schenectady. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Nov. 30 at 11am at St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic Church,3040 Hamburg St. Rotterdam. Interment with military honors for Bill will be at the Gerald B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bill's memory to Things of my very own at www.thingsofmyveryown.orgj or to the Schenectady City Mission 425 Hamilton Street Schenectady, NY 12305 or to St. Jude's Children Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105..