Fr. Paul Hart served as pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle

Father Paul S. Hart, who served for 33 years as a priest of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, died Oct. 30 at Belle Maison nursing home in Hammond. He was 70 years old.

Father Hart was born on March 20, 1952, in New Orleans to Clement C. Hart and Azelia D’Aquin Hart.

Father Hart attended elementary school at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Kenner, St. Matthew the Apostle in River Ridge and Stuart Prep. He attended St. Aloysius High School in New Orleans and was in the first graduating class at Brother Martin High School in 1970.

He was in the midst of a banking career when in 1981 at the age of 29 he decided to attend St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict. He later completed his studies for the priesthood at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.

As a seminarian at the outdoor Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II at the University of New Orleans in 1987, he held the Roman Missal for the pope.

Father Hart was ordained to the priesthood for the archdiocese on Aug. 12, 1989, by Archbishop Francis Schulte.

Father Hart served as parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo in Destrehan, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Kenner and St. Andrew the Apostle in New Orleans. He served as both parochial administrator and pastor at St. Andrew the Apostle. He also served as dean of the Algiers-Plaquemines Deanery.

Father Hart’s final assignment was as director of the Abbey Christian Life Center at St. Joseph Abbey.

Father Hart’s Funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 4 at St. Joseph Abbey Church. Interment followed at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery.

Father Hart is survived by his brother Philip S. Hart, sister-in-law Judith Landry Hart, nephew Scott Hart (Kiersten), niece Teri Hart Tankersley (Brian) and great-nephews Zach Tankersley, Riley Tankersley, Matt Hart and Alex Hart as well as numerous cousins and many friends.

Donations may be made in Father Hart’s honor to St. Joseph’s Abbey, 75376 River Rd., Covington, LA 70457.