Jonah Maxwell Hart
HART: Jonah Maxwell Hart, beloved by so many, passed peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Monday, Oct. 2. Jonah valiantly fought glioblastoma for the last 13 months. Despite the impact of cancer on his physical body, Jonah continued to embrace all that life can offer until the very end. Jonah was a source of light, humor and strength to all who knew him. Jonah was born in Pittsburgh on Sept. 4, 2006. He joined his parents, Chris and Lorien Hart, and big sister, Abigail, in their Highland Park home. His childhood was full of gathering with other kids on the block. There were many moments that included ice cream cones, days splashing around and lemonade stands. It was a wonderful place to grow up and Jonah was essential to its spark. He began attending Montessori Centre Academy (MCA) when he was 3 and quickly grew, not only in his intellectual knowledge, but also in how to make friends, be a part of a larger community and engage the natural world. Jonah continued at MCA until the sixth grade when he began at the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies. A young man of many talents, Jonah was a rabid Michigan Wolverine fan, a beautiful artist, a competitive speed cuber, a crafty magician, a black belt in Taekwondo, a late-night gamer, a fierce deck hockey player, a daredevil bmx bike rider, a double black diamond skier, but most importantly, a beloved friend, brother and son. While attending Obama Academy from sixth grade until his passing, Jonah was a straight-A student who fully participated in the school’s International Baccalaureate Program. He was on track to be a class valedictorian, maintaining his standing even as he endured daily radiation. He was a proud member of the Obama Class of 2024. Of all of the places in the world, Camp Harlam was his favorite. He began attending sleep-away camp as a 7-year-old and made it his summer home every year since. He accompanied his fellow campers on a trip to Israel in 2022 and spent this past summer as a counselor-in-training. As you pull into the camp in Kunkletown, there are signs that say, “Welcome Home,” and this was true for Jonah. Jonah’s summer home filled him with joy and he filled it with his humor and wisdom. As a fifth-generation Wolverine, Jonah comes from a long line of Michigan scholars, including his sister, parents, grandparents, great-grandfather, cousins, aunts, uncles and family friends. He was cheering for his first Michigan football game when he was just days old and regularly went to “The Big House” for home games. He is survived by his parents, Chris and Lorien Hart; sister, Abigail Hart; more best friends than he could count; as well as many grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, teachers, extended family, neighbors and fans of his hair. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. The service will be held at Temple Sinai, 5505 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Everyone is welcome. Shiva will be celebrated after the memorial service until 9 p.m. Additionally, the family will host a Sukkot celebration on Friday, Oct. 6, from 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Please call Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc. at 412.621.8282 for more information. In lieu of flowers, the Harts ask that donations in Jonah’s memory be made to The Outlier Fund: theoutlierfund.org. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., family owned and operated. schugar.com PJC
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