Mr. Michael James Hart

Mike Hart October 12, 1945 - April 17, 2016 “Blowing out someone else’s candle won’t make yours shine brighter” Ever the heart of hospitality, Mike Hart was always sharing delicious meals, or toasting his friends with glasses of Scotch or bourbon. This lifelong traveler had a friend to visit in every city, and with that dry Irish wit, he made new ones easily, the sound of his laughter echoing in the hearts of everyone he met. Drawn to the sounds of crashing surf, lapping lakes, and vibrant birdsong, Mike relaxed deepest with a good book, surrounded by nature. As a storyteller who transcended his own stories, he thrived in periods of transition, always finding the opportunity within the change. When all seemed dark, he’d be the one pointing out the light of the stars, but only when he wasn’t out there lighting a candle himself to show us all the way. Born on the east side of Kansas City, Missouri, Mike grew up as the rambunctious son of James Leo and Ella Mae Fairce Hart. In high school, he developed a love for writing, which inspired him to major in English at Drake University, where he met an Iowa girl on a hayride. Head over heels in love, he and Ann Boysen were married in Harlan, Iowa on June 10th, 1967. Mike’s draft notice arrived in the mail a few days before their one-year anniversary, and, enlisting in the Army Security Agency, he served 13 months in Seoul, Korea before transferring to Helemano Military Reservation on O’ahu, Hawai’i, where he was promoted to Army Specialist Fifth Class and helped close down bases in the Pacific theatre, reassigning servicemen all over the world. Mike was discharged in the spring of 1972, and after returning to Kansas City, a brutal snow and ice storm solidified their resolve to move back to Hawai’i. Mike left for Honolulu in February of 1973 to look for work, with Ann following a few months later after Mike was hired by Roy C. Kelley, owner of the Outrigger hotel chain, to work varied shifts as a Front Desk Clerk for the Outrigger East Hotel, and as a Weekend Night Manager for the Waikiki Outrigger. Through the years, he rose through the ranks as Hotel Assistant Manager, then Hotel Manager, managing the Waikiki Tower of the Reef Hotel, eventually tapped to become Vice President of Human Resources for Outrigger Hotels Hawai’i. Mike could regale you for hours with behind-the-scenes stories of Waikiki as it became a tourist hub in the 1970’s. Additionally, he and Ann developed Hart Tours, which sold optional tours in Outrigger hotel lobbies, where, as kama’ainas, they shared their love of the islands with many visitors. Mike’s mother joined the couple in their first house in Kailua, where they welcomed two daughters into the world-- Christy in 1977 and Erin in 1979. Those idyllic years often found Mike grilling on a Saturday, with the strains of the Cazimero Brothers floating out over their pool and jacuzzi. But changes in the Outrigger management structure led to a parting of ways in 1988, when Mike moved the family to a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, once again in search of work. Mike possessed a true entrepreneurial spirit; over the decades to come, he formed a business consulting firm, opened a franchise teaching computer skills to children, and traveled all over the US learning the incentive travel business. In 2001, Mike teamed up with Greg Trzaska to form BreakAway Incentives LLC which they grew into BreakAway Loyalty, designing credit card loyalty programs for banks and credit unions all over the US-- including Hawai’i. As Chief Operating Officer, Mike treated his employees as extended family, and with Ann, daughter Erin and her husband Adam all working there, they often were. Outside of work, Mike participated in SKAL International, a worldwide club of business executives. He passionately supported the service organization of Rotary International, becoming President of the Rotary Club of East Cobb 1998. As an active member of the Alpharetta Rotary Club and Paul Harris major donor, he served as Rotary Foundation Club Chairperson and as Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) District Trustee. GRSP, which brings students from all over the world to study here, became one of his favorite programs, especially after playing host family to Anna, a young student from Sweden, who became his "adopted daughter." Both families are so much richer for the cross-cultural contact. Mike and Ann traveled often for Rotary and Marriott conferences, long beach weekends, company business, and on numerous cruises. He avidly followed University of Georgia football and Braves baseball. After becoming a grandfather in 2008, Mike proudly taught his granddaughter Piper how to fish in his boat on Lake Oconee where he could point out herons taking flight across the rippling water. Mike’s strength through the severity of his illness astounded us all, as he rallied to celebrate his 70th birthday and to cuddle his second granddaughter Harper born in December 2015. His memory will live on with his ‘ohana, his family: His devoted wife Ann; daughter Christy and son-in-law Doug Smith; daughter Erin, son-in-law Adam Ricks and grandchildren Piper and Harper; “adopted daughter” Anna and husband David Måsender and family; sister-in-law Dee Boysen and family; brother-in-law Andrew Boysen, wife Lynn, and family; and stepsister Mary Goodin and family. A celebration of Mike's life will be held at Northside Chapel in Roswell, GA on aloha Friday, April 29th at 7 PM, with an open visitation and slideshow at 6 PM. Please don your best aloha attire to honor his everlasting island spirit. Mike will be cremated, and the family plans to take a trip back to Hawai'i for one last walk down Kailua Beach. In Lieu of Flowers, Please Consider a Donation to GRSP Should you wish to honor Mike, a donation in his honor would continue to spread the light for generations to come. He would say "thank you" from the heart the Hawai'ian way: Mahalo. For everything. By check and mail to: Georgia Rotary Student Program, P.O. Box 61327, Savannah, Georgia 31420 Or online at www.grsp.org: Click 'Donations'. You’ll be emailed for the opportunity to leave a tribute message.