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BETHEL, Conn. - Henry P. Dart Jr., of Bethel, formerly of Westport, died Tuesday, Nov. 12. He was 90.
Dart was born Dec. 14, 1922, in New York, N.Y., to Henry and Eleanor Dart. He graduated from Power Memorial High School and entered Iona College, New Rochelle, in 1940. He joined the army in 1943 during World War II. He served in both Europe and the Pacific as part of the 346th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division, and First Platoon as part of the medical detachment. After three years of service he returned to Iona to complete his education in 1947 and received his BBA as part of the school’s first graduating class.
In 1958 he moved his family from Mineola, N.Y., to Westport, when his first son was born with Down syndrome. After arriving in Connecticut, he became involved in two organizations: Connecticut Association for Retarded Children (CARC) and National Association for Retarded Children (NARC). He became treasurer and later president of CARC. He served as budget chairman and later treasurer of the National Association for Retarded Children. After 15 years of volunteer work for those with Down syndrome and mental health problems he retired from CARC and NARC due to health issues. His work career included stops at TIAA and the Ford Foundation from which he retired from in 1984.
Dart is survived by his children, James Dart (Christine) of Weston and Nora Swift (Jay) of Bethel; and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; son, Thomas Dart; and daughter, Mary Barron.
Calling hours are Thursday, Nov. 14 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at St. Mary Church, Bethel. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Bethel.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to www.starct.org.
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