Patrick Hart was born on 5 Oct 1879 in Meeltrane, Ballyhaunis, Parish of Knock, Barony of Costello, County Mayo, Ireland to Thomas Joseph Harte 1841-1915 and Mary Martha Murtagh 1852-1884. Thomas and Mary had 7 children when Mary died during childbirth of the 7th child. Patrick was only 4 years old. His father, a tailor, remarried six months later. Patrick immigrated to England in the early 1900's in search of work and lived with his brother James. They got work on the trams that England was changing over from steam to electric. Patrick returned to Ireland by 1903 and lived in Kilkelly, County Mayo near Meeltrane. His father became blind, so Patrick helped the growing second family (another 7 children).
Finally he traveled to Cork, Ireland and departed April 18, 1907, from Queenstown (Cobh) Harbor on the SS Teutonic, part of the White Star Lines. He arrived at Ellis Island, NY on April 27, 1907 at age 27 with $12 in his pocket. His destination was 52 Chestnut Street in Fredonia, NY, the home of his oldest brother John Hart. His sisters Mary and Margaret arrived earlier and lived with John. In Buffalo, he got a job working at ER Thomas Motor Car Co. building engine blocks, and later Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company. Patrick met Honora Agnes McCarthy at the Gaelic League of Buffalo and they married on September 6, 1916 at Immaculate Conception Church.
Soon after marriage, the couple moved to 144 Seymour Street where children Thomas Francis b 1917, Marie Winifred b 1918, and Catherine Josephine b 1919 were born. The Hart's purchased a home at 33 Macamley Street in Buffalo in 1920. Additional children, Honora Agnes b 1921, Margaret Elizabeth b 1923 (my husband's mom), Eugene Patrick b 1924, Ellen Lauretta b 1925, Charles Joseph b 1926, Rosanne Marie b 1930, and Lillian Teresa b 1932 were born at home.
Patrick loved to tend his vegetable garden, made and mended shoes for the children, listened to the radio after dinner and the occasional radio Friday boxing matches at the local tavern. "Old Suzanna" was his favorite tune to whistle and his children thought it was an Irish tune. He brewed root beer and beer in his cellar. He was never without his rosary, his vest, a pipe or cigar. He never desired to return to Ireland. He never flew in an airplane and disliked using the telephone.
He died September 25, 1959, at age 79 years, 11 months and was married for 43 years. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Garden of the Holy Family in Lackawanna, NY
