Obituary of Wade Douglas "Wally" Hart

After a short and very courageous battle with cancer- we announce the passing of our dad, Wade Douglas “Wally” Hart on Tuesday September 9, 2025.

Born to Ada Alfreda Cole and Wallace (John Anthony) Hart on January 9, 1944. He was the youngest of 3 boys and lived his entire life in Sackville, NB. Dad was a proud man, fiercely independent and anyone who knew him knew he had his opinions.

He joined the 8th Hussars Military Marching band in 1958 at the age of 14- along side his dad and brother Sonny. Playing the tenor trombone- he continued with “the band” until it disbanded in 1996. Parading all over the Maritimes, one of his proudest moments was meeting and being addressed by Queen Elizabeth II in Gagetown, NB

Dad was a labourer- a hard worker- “Anything worth doing is worth doing right or don’t do it at all”.  He instilled this work ethic in his daughters. He worked in the stock room at Mt. Allison University alongside his dad, the moulding shop at Enterprise Foundry, then followed his passion for driving and drove a transport truck for Humphrey’s out of Moncton, then Baughn’s Transfer in Sackville.

Dad had many interests outside of work - a passion for vegetable gardening- which he passed on to his daughters, Sonia and Alison.

He loved sports- a passion which Cheryl adopted. He could often be found at the Mt A football games with his brother Lorin until Lorin’s passing. After that he would go alone or with his sons-in law. He used to golf and curl at the local clubs, having a nice cold one afterwards or a rye and ginger- but “it better be made with Sussex ginger ale and none of that Canada Dry stuff”

Dad was a fan of Snooker, The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Toronto Blue Jays, Montreal Canadians and The New England Patriots until their record started changing -sorry dad :)

A great lover of music- dad listened to all kinds of genres. Marching band classics were a favourite- he would often comment “these days, nobody can march like they used to”- his favourite march was -The British Eighth. Good Time Oldies was “real” rock and roll and “old country” such as his favourite, Hank Williams, brought dad great comfort throughout his life. Throw in there a little Bad Medicine by Bon Jovi and he had a well-rounded play list.

Never needing or seeking to be the center of attention- dad was quiet at home and while visiting his daughters and their families but never failed to arrive with arms full of his home baking which could be anything from biscuits, cakes, cookies, brown sugar fudge, spaghetti sauce, soups, and the list goes on!  As quiet as dad was, he had the memory of an elephant, and if he saw the opportunity, he liked to stir the pot and watch the chips fall. If he poked fun at you, you knew he liked you.

 We believe dad began living his best life these past 10-12 years. Becoming a bachelor at age 70 he could have stayed inside “watching that big monster in the corner” (AKA the TV) ...

Yet, he didn’t- he began walking multiple times per week- tracking his steps on his Garmin watch – and was proud of what he achieved.  – “…got 5 miles in today”. When out walking he would never, ever by-pass the Sackville Waterfowl Park. He loved the serenity there.

Making new friends is difficult at any age let alone 70. Dad made many new friends at the bowling alley in Amherst- car pooling several nights per week with Terry and George. He then picked his pool cue back up and started playing pool - befriending Ron, Roger and Mark- plus others. He loved the community at Tantramar Cottages on the Drew Nursing home property. Dad was a selfless man who without hesitation, would always reach out with a helping hand, never asking for or needing anything in return.  A perfect example of this was if there was any snow having fallen overnight, dad was up before first light making sure everyone’s car at the Drew was brushed off and ready to go before most had even had their first cup of coffee.

In his final days dad was asked what the best piece of advice he could give…his response,

“ Live fast, love hard and make beautiful memories”

Dad had a big heart and a tender heart. We were proud of him and will miss him dearly.

Dad is survived by his 3 daughters, Sonia Hart (Stan), Cheryl Hart-Rossignol (Shane) and Alison Hart-Tower (Richard); his 4 grandchildren, Robyn, Alex, Alice, Lillian and great-granddaughter Neveah; the mother of his children, Carolyn Hart; his sister-in-law, Carol, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ada and Wallace; his brothers, Sonny and Lorin as well as by his niece, Deanna.

We give thanks to the Moncton Hospital Hospitalists, Dr’s Bourque, Murphy and McIsaac and nurse Raymond- each of you sat beside dad and listened to his stories while under your care.

We thank his “angels”, Nancy RN, from Extramural Program in Sackville. We also give thanks to the staff at the Sackville Memorial Hospital, his GP, Dr. Roshni Kanji and her secretary, Katie, Sandy S, Dr. Andrea Wall, nurse Cyril, as well as those who visited in on dad in his last final days at home and in the hospital- we are grateful, and dad was too

Arrangements have been entrusted to Erin Campbell and staff at Cambell’s Funeral Home, 89 Bridge Street, Sackville, NB (506) 364-8188. Per dad’s request there will be no visitation at the funeral home however he wished for a graveside service – open to those who want to attend, at the Rockport Cemetery on Friday, September 12, 2025. In true dad fashion, BYOC (bring your own chair). For those who would like to follow in procession, please meet at 12:45pm at Campbell’s Funeral Home for departure at 1 pm for the Rockport Cemetery.

Following the burial, a Celebration of Life will take place at the Sackville Legion at 4pm and all are welcome to attend. We encourage as many as possible to join us in a toast to “Wally”, share stories, hear some of dad’s favourite tunes, see some photos have a cold one/a rye and ginger and play some pool.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church or the Sackville Waterfowl Park Memorial Bench Program where we wish to have a bench placed in Dad’s name because as he said, “there are not enough benches”.

The next time you are sitting around a campfire with the ones you love, and the sky is clear with a beautiful moon and stars, know that the heavens are much brighter for one of those stars is a man who lived life with an abundance of joy, love, and laughter.  He never once “let the old man in”, and for that, we are forever proud.