Condolences - Leonard Paul Hart
Lenny (Lemony), MY beloved friend. I have so many wonderful memories of you. Too many to list here. They will stay with me always. Your bravery was matched only by your kindness. You fought one heck of a battle. Now, rest easy, your work here is done. I bet your going to be the best Guardian angel. Thankyou for just being you. I send my deepest condolences to your family.
I was honored to know Lenny for many years. I looked up to him for his service in Vietnam and his unswerving dedication to assist children through COTA.. He was never full of himself or talking down to anyone... He is a legend in my mind and heart.
Heaven has received a new Gaurdian Angel. God bless, and thank you for service. 💙🇺🇸
we will miss you my brother rest in gods arms... love to your daughters and sandy and your grandchildren, may they find peace soon.. until we meet again
I do not recall how many years ago when I first met Lenny, but I clearly remember the situation. I was on stage at The American Legion, Department of New Jersey convention, and I had just introduced one of our families and was walking off stage when I met a gentleman who I had noticed earlier taking photos of the family. I remember he shook my hand and told me he was going to help. It was not until later that afternoon that I learned that that man’s name was Lenny Hart, and that he was a 23 year Army veteran, and had been a member of The American Legion for several years. Over the next few years, Lenny‘s involvement in helping COTA kids increased, and he was well known for the Post 493 events that he hosted each fall. COTA families would often call or email asking when they would get “Mr. Lenny’s” invitation to attend the event in Little Egg Harbor. At one of those events, Lenny shared that he had lost his daughter, Susan, and that her memory motivated him to help every parent so that they would not have to mourn the loss of a child. On more occasions and I can recall, I heard Lenny talk about his “girls,” and his grandchildren, and it was a pleasure to meet Rosie and Maryanna several years later. Over the years, Lenny and I spoke by phone about every other week, and at the conclusion of EVERY conversation he asked me how else he could help. During his time as a COTA volunteer, he raised in excess of $250,000 for COTA kids within the Department of New Jersey and he helped our families in Kentucky when he retired there a couple of years ago. Over the past 25 years, I have worked with thousands of COTA families and volunteers, but much like Cher and Pelé, I only had to mention Lenny’s first name, and everyone knew who I was talking about. His compassion, his diligence, and his genuine care for so many years set him apart and is a legacy that he has left behind for others to cherish. I know that you miss your dad and grandfather, and I am confident that there is a special place in heaven reserved for him for all the good that he did to help kids through the American Legion family. Today we honor Lenny for a service to our nation and the families with a child who needed a life-saving transplant. As it says in the Bible, I believe we all know that Lenny was “a good and faithful servant” during his lifetime. I tip my cap to his lifetime of service, and know that I will always have to remove it during a formal meeting or while eating, or else he will fine me five dollars with the proceeds going to COTA. We love you and we will miss you brother!
To the family and friends of Mr.Hart. I had the privilege of working with Lenny many years ago and he was a great man. I'm sorry to learn of his passing. May he Rest in peace.