Friends recall positive spirit of George Hart

Despite the success of May's heart transplant at Shands Cardiovascular Center, the Inverness resident died Sunday at age 61.

By LOGAN NEILL
Published March 26, 2005

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INVERNESS - Olivia Johnston remembers George Hart as a fun-loving guy. Even during the tough days, when his diseased and rapidly failing heart made every physical movement a struggle, he could still manage a wisecrack or two.

"No matter how bad he was feeling, he just loved to make people laugh," said Johnston, a longtime friend of Mr. Hart's and his wife, Ginger. "That's why people liked him so much."

In May, Mr. Hart left the University of Florida's Shands Cardiovascular Center with new hope in the form of heart transplant. Sadly, despite the success of the operation, Mr. Hart died Sunday (March 20, 2005) at the age of 61.

Although Mr. Hart's medical insurance picked up most of the expense of the heart transplant, the out-of-pocket expenses for medication and aftercare treatments were staggering for him and his family.

Throughout the past year, Mr. Hart's family and friends pitched in to help the family cope with the more than $40,000 in out-of-pocket expenses associated with the transplant.

Members of United Church of Inverness, which Mrs. Hart attends, donated items for garage sales and held church dinners. The Citrus Times wrote about the efforts last year.

The effort raised more than $18,000 in all, said Johnston. "People were very generous with their time, and I know that George always appreciated how much it all helped," she said.

A memorial service for Mr. Hart was held Friday at First United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Ginger; two sons, George, Miami, and Gregory, Ocala; a sister, Judy Hill, Newnan, Ga.; several nieces and nephews; and four grandchildren.