CAMDEN — After a long and well lived life, John W. Hart, 95, of Camden, passed away January 27 at Sussman House with family by his side.

John was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on September 30, 1925 to Frank and Gladys Hart.

He spent his youth and attended school in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, and summered in Camden at the Elm St home of his grandparents Dr Willis and Mary Hart (now the Hartstone Inn). During those summertime visits, he met his wife-to-be, Nellie Ames. After graduating from high school, John served overseas in the US Army during World War II. Upon discharge, he came back to the States and attended the University of Delaware, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.

He returned to Camden, and John and Nellie were married on June 26, 1949 at the Chestnut St. Baptist Church. They settled in Camden where they worked, raised their family, actively participated in the community, and remained the rest of their lives. John served on the Camden Fire Dept and Rescue for many years, and was an active member of the Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, attended church services and served on numerous committees. He worked as a caretaker for the Watson/Symington family estate for 50 years until he retired at 86 years young.

He spent his retirement doing what he loved most – working outside, gardening, and spending time with his family.

After 69 years of marriage, he was predeceased by his wife, Nellie in 2018.

In addition to his wife, Nellie, he was predeceased by his parents, Gladys and Frank Hart of Camden; mother and father-in-law, Harold and Edna Ames of Camden; brother and sister-in-law David and Priscilla Hart and their son David of Camden, sister in-law Mary Heald and her husband Charlie of Lincolnville, and brother-in-law, Leslie Ames and his wife Faith of South China.

He leaves behind a large family: son Steven Hart and wife Judy of Camden, son John Hart of Camden, daughter Jean Stack and husband Bill of Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire; nieces Sharon Hart of Waterville, Pamela Ames of Sidney, and Nancy Jamann and husband Fred of Nazareth, Pennsylvania; nephews Mike Ames of Newport, Alan Heald of Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, and Jeffrey Heald and wife Cheri of Endicott, New York; grandchildren Christopher Hart, wife Sarah and their children Grace and Sam of Falmouth, Elizabeth Hendrick, and her children Mirabelle, Briar, Caleb, Gavin and Mason of Camden, Vanessa Thomann, husband Kergan and their children Kergan and Ethan of Lincolnville, and Christie Stack, husband Dustin Wiedeman, and their daughter Willow of Lebanon, Maine.

The Hart family would like to express their utmost gratitude and thanks to Sue Cooney for her devoted friendship to John and their every Tuesday morning coffee and muffin “dates” which he so eagerly looked forward to, Elaine Davis for her life-long friendship and all of her help, neighbors Ben and Sophie Todd for always keeping an eye out for John and lending a helping hand when he would get himself in a pickle (which he often did!), and the staff at Camden District Nursing, Maine Home Health, and Clearbrook Senior Care for their loving, devoted and dedicated care and compassion that allowed both John and Nellie to remain in their home of 58 years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Camden District Nursing.

A graveside celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 19, at 2 p.m., at Maplewood Cemetery, in Lincolnville.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecom.com.

Arrangements are with the the Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.