October 8, 1948 – July 21, 2026
Rev. Chet Hart, resident of Dowling Park, Florida, passed away on Tuesday in Gainesville, Florida. He leaves behind a rich legacy defined by his devotion to God, youth ministry, community mentorship, and a wide circle of cherished friends and family.
For Chet, faith was the central guiding force in all of his life’s decisions, character, and service. Born and raised in Connecticut, Chet grew up in the Advent Christian Church in Plainville. He embraced a personal relationship with Jesus as a 12-year-old at church camp—an experience that set the course for his life’s work. After starting engineering studies at Union College in New York, Chet answered a calling to ministry and transferred to Berkshire Christian College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theology.
Chet dedicated much of his career to youth ministry and camping, serving as a local youth minister, Denominational Director of Youth and Camping for the Advent Christian General Conference, and Appalachian Regional Director of Youth and Camping Ministry. In the 1980s, his leadership touched youth across the country through staff training, leadership development, and involvement in over 25 Advent Christian camps.
Expanding his work with families and young people, Chet earned Master’s degrees in Family Counseling and Correctional Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University and received training in child custody mediation. He spent 20 years with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), serving at local chapters in North Carolina, Virginia, and Southwest Michigan, as well as at National Headquarters as Field Manager and Agency Development Specialist. He later provided consulting assistance on youth and family grant initiatives.
In his recent ministry, Chet pastored at Common Cross Community Church in Mooresville, North Carolina, and at McAlpin Advent Christian Church in McAlpin, Florida. Chet deeply valued these congregations, reflecting often on the deep personal growth, transformation, and grace he experienced alongside them.
Beyond his ministry, Chet had a passion for the outdoors and loved backpacking through nature with good friends. He was also an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox.
Chet was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Eustice Hart Sr. and Dorothy Evelyn Dunbar Hart, and his sister, Ruth Hart.
He is survived by his wife, Jill. Though Chet had no remaining immediate family of his own, he was dearly loved by Jill’s family and many other families and friends throughout his life who knew him as a son, brother, uncle, and mentor.
A service to celebrate his life and the blessed hope of the resurrection will be held Friday, August 14, 2026 at 2pm at The Village Church at Advent Christian Village, 23736 Park Center Drive, Live Oak, FL 32060. All are welcome to join us in remembering Chet.
In honor of Chet’s lifelong commitment to youth ministry and the pivotal role church camp played in his own life, memorial contributions may be made to support camper scholarships at a local Advent Christian youth camp, or directly to any of the following camps close to his heart:
Camp Suwannee (Live Oak, FL)
Appalachian Advent Christian Camp (Blowing Rock, NC)
Camp Maranatha (Idyllwild, CA)
Alton Bay Christian Retreat Center (Alton Bay, NH)
Camp Dixie (St. Pauls / Fayetteville, NC)
Camp Faithful (Plainville, CT)
