Obituary provided by Hull Funeral Home.
Henry P. Dart Jr., of Bethel, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday Nov, 12, 2013, at the age 90.
He was born to the late Henry and Eleanor Dart on Dec. 14, 1922 in New York, NY. Henry graduated from Power Memorial High School and entered Iona College, New Rochelle, in 1940.
WWII interrupted his education plans and in 1943 left school to join the army. Henry served in both Europe and the Pacific as part of the 346th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division, and First Platoon as part of the medical detachment. After 3 years of service he returned to Iona to complete his education an in 1947 received his BBA as part of the school’s first graduating class.
Henry’s journey to Connecticut began when his first son was born with downs syndrome. Unable to find adequate programs for his oldest son he began looking beyond New York and discovered that Connecticut had established some advanced programs.
In 1958 he moved his family from Mineola, NY to Westport, CT. After arriving in Connecticut, Henry also became actively involved in two organizations: Connecticut Association for Retarded Children (CARC) and National Association for Retarded Children (NARC).
In the late ‘50s, Henry became treasurer and later president of CARC. During his years with CARC he was asked by Governor Demsey to serve as advisor on a mental retardation planning project. This project was completed in March 1966 and was used a guide in other states.
In 1962 while serving as state president, Henry had the honor of watching JFK sign into law the first federal legislation on behalf of those with special needs.
Henry served as budget chairman and later treasurer of the National Association for Retarded Children. After 15 years of volunteer work for those with downs syndrome and mental health problems he retired from CARC and NARC due to health issues.
His work career included stops at TIAA and the Ford Foundation from which he retired from in 1984. Henry was a gourmet cook and enjoyed traveling, dancing, golf, poker, and the Y’s Men of Westport. He was extremely proud of his military service and was politically active working to improve conditions for those not as fortunate.
Henry is survived by two children, James Dart and his wife Christine of Weston, CT and Nora Swift and her husband Jay Swift of Bethel, CT. He also is survived by three grandchildren, Caroline Dart, Jacqueline Dart and Christopher Swift.
His son Thomas Dart and daughter Mary Barron predeceased him.
The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, CT Thursday from 4 p.m. 7 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Mary Church, Bethel, CT, Friday morning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to www.starct.org.
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