WILLIAM JOHN HARTNETT

HARTNETT, William John
William John Hartnett (87), a life long Coral Gables resident from a pioneer family, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2015. He was born on January 24, 1928 to Elizabeth Grace and Frederick Bernard Hartnett, in Miami, Florida. He attended St. Theresa School, Ponce de Leon High School and graduated from Union College, Schnectady, NY, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta.
Following his service in the U.S. Army in the Korean War, Bill returned to Coral Gables where he married Jacqueline Barnett, ran a successful insurance agency, became an expert in his field and together with his wife, they raised four sons. For many decades, the family summered at their home in Lake Toxaway, NC.
Bill was active in all aspects of business and development of the City of Coral Gables over the years. Bill’s father, Fred B Hartnett, was a former commissioner and beloved former mayor of Coral Gables who helped shape the City. Fred B Hartnett Ponce Circle Park, named for Bill’s father, has become an integral part of festival life within the City of Coral Gables, including the annual Irish Festival, which Bill proudly attended annually.
Bill was a member of Riviera Country Club, Lake Toxaway Country Club, Coral Gables Country Club, Beach Colony Club, a member of the Emerald Society, involved with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, Knights of Columbus and a long time supporter of the Catholic Church and Archdiocese of Miami. A devout Catholic, Bill attended the Church of the Little Flower, where his father was a founding member, and later, St. Augustine Catholic Church. He also attended St Jude Catholic Church in NC, in the summertime.
He is predeceased by his wife Jacqueline Barnett Hartnett, his son William John Hartnett, Jr and his granddaughter Caroline Anna Hartnett. He is also predeceased by his brothers Fred Hartnett and Jack Hartnett.
He is survived by his sons Frederick Banister Hartnett “Rick” (Debra), Christopher “Chris” Scott Hartnett (Leannah) , Timothy “Tim” Patrick Hatnett (Haley) and his daughter in law Tamara P Hartnett. He is survived by grandchildren including Jennifer Hartnett Wilson(Graham), Scott Thomas Hartnett, William John Hartnett, III (Elisa), Claire Elizabeth Hartnett, Sean Christopher Hartnett, Clifford Sterling Hartnett and three great grandchildren Meredith Reese Wilson, Spencer Fox Wilson and Caroline Rose Hartnett. He is also survived by his brothers James D Hartnett (Kitty) and Robert C Hartnett (Betty) and many other relatives that he loved.