Richard J. Hartt

Richard J. Hartt died peacefully at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living on September 3, 2025, in Shrewsbury, NJ, after breaking a hip, followed by a brief illness, at the age of 94.

Richie was born on July 1, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York; he served in the US Navy 1951-55.  He married the love of his life, Dolores (Laurie), in a blizzard on January 16, 1954.  They lived in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, where they welcomed their two children.  In 1965 they moved to Eltingville, Staten Island. He worked as an electrician for IBEW Local 3 for 43 years before retiring and moving to a retirement community in Brick, New Jersey in 1994.  In Brick, they found a new life.  Richie loved playing cards with the men, bocci ball with Laurie and friends, cooking breakfast with the men’s club, betting on the horses online or going to the racetrack. He fully enjoyed his retirement years.  They went to Atlantic City often.  Richie could be seen driving there with Laurie and three of her lady friends about once a month.  His love of fishing was lifelong, whether in Sheepshead Bay, Staten Island, (where he taught his kids), in Keyport, NJ, (where he taught his grandkids) or with his buddies in Island Beach State Park.  Richard also took his three granddaughters crabbing  for many years! He was a NY Dodgers fan until the ‘bums’ went to LA.  Then the Mets were formed in 1962 and it was instant love!  His children grew up hating the Yankees and loving the Mets and not really knowing why! 

He was an active and dedicated member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Brick until Dolores fell ill and they moved to an Independent Living in Jackson, then to the Assisted Living in Shrewsbury.  When Laurie passed away in December, 2020, after almost 67 years of marriage, Richard became a beloved ‘character’ at Arbor Terrace!  He adored his aides, especially Maria, Elsie & Izzy,  and everyone who worked there.  And they absolutely loved him!  He helped set up for and played Bingo.  He was asked to take prospective residents on tours of the facility and proudly wore his “Ambassador” nameplate.  

He was predeceased by his parents, Richard H. and Agnes (Canner) and siblings Lauretta, Agnes and Lewis; and his adored grandson, Richard A. Hartt.  Richard J. is survived by his devoted children, Ellen P. Gaudenzi and husband Robert, of Hazlet, Richard T. Hartt and wife Diane, of Old Bridge, three adoring granddaughters, Jennifer Hanafin (John), of Old Bridge, Lauren Sica (Thomas), of Hazlet, and Allison Caballero (Michael), of Eatontown; loving granddaughter-in-law, Erica Hartt, of Old Bridge; and seven great-grandchildren, Charlotte Hartt, Amelia Hartt, Madison Sica, Aiden Hartt, Ryan Sica, Harper Hanafin and Christopher Caballero. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Mary Coakley, and nephew, Timothy Coakley (Erin), all of Naples, Florida.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday, September 7th, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, and  Monday morning, September 8th from 9:15 to 10:00 AM at Shore Point Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc., 3269 State Highway/Route 35 North, Hazlet, New Jersey 07730.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Monday, September 8th at 10:30 am at St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church, 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733.  Interment will follow at St. Anne's Cemetery, 1610 Allenwood Road, Wall Township, New Jersey 07719.

In lieu of flowers, donations in loving memory of Richie to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.  To donate, please visit www.stjude.org.  For information, directions or to send condolences to the family, please visit, www.shorepointfh.com.

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