Long-time Advance sportswriter and Sea teacher, Stephen Hart passed away at the age of 60 on February 12, 2025, after a courageous battle with liver cancer.
He is survived by his parents, Patricia and Kenneth, and his two older brothers, Michael and Kenneth and their wives, Debbie, Judy and niece, Jordan.
Highlights
- Stephen passed away at 60 after a long battle with liver cancer leaving behind his parents, Patricia, Kenneth and his brothers.
- Hart was a dedicated sportswriter who was passionate about sports and writing about it since a young age.
- He was an English teacher at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School where he first started teaching in 2009 as a part-time teacher.
Stephen was a well-respected sportswriter for the Staten Island Advance and SILive.com where he worked for over two decades.
He dedicated his life to covering local sports, where he was known for his engaging and unique writing style.
Hart had a great sense of humor, often making people laugh with his puns and jokes, and was very sociable with everyone.
Moreover, he was highly respected in his field, having held various roles within the sports department, including beat reporter, columnist, and feature writer.
Since his passing, his friends and colleagues have been mourning his loss deeply. His absence has left an unmistakable void in the hearts of those who knew him.
Stephen Hart Dedicated Over 25 Years Of His Life In Sports Writing And Teaching High School Students
Born on November 30, 1964, in Manhattan to Patricia and Kenneth, Stephen always considered himself a Staten Island native.
Hart grew up in a loving household with his parents and two brothers, Michael and Kenneth.
From a young age, he was drawn to sports and eventually discovered his passion for sports writing.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of Staten Island, which significantly contributed to his professional career.
His journey in sports writing began when he joined the Advance sports staff in 1989, where he quickly recognized his talent as a witty journalist.
He initially covered high school football, basketball, and baseball, and in September 1993, he became the Advance’s high school sports columnist.
In 2004, Hart transitioned to the News Department, working as a reporter and features writer.
After a brief stint in news, he returned to sports writing in November 2005 and excelled in every role he undertook.
While working at the Advance, Hart also took a part-time job as a teacher at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School where he taught English.
Later in 2016, he left his job at the Advance and took a full-time teaching position at Sea where he taught until his passing.
The school community was profoundly affected by his passing and expressed their heartfelt condolences on their social media platform.
Stephen Grew Up In A Loving Household With His Parents And Brothers
Stephen was beloved among friends and family for his fun-loving nature and his knack for making people laugh.
His brother, Michael, shared his heartfelt emotions in a touching statement about Stephen. He said:
Steve was not only funny, smart, generous and caring, but a great son, brother, writer and teacher, He was also a great friend to many. He filled many people with happiness in his too-short 60 years. To say he’ll be missed is a huge understatement.
Michael Hart
Growing up, Hart was a big fan of The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Further, he loved movies and sports and was a lively person.
Furthermore, he was an ardent supporter of the New York Mets, Minnesota Vikings, New York Rangers, New York Knicks, and the University of Notre Dame.
He often attended games to cheer on his favorite teams and enjoyed meeting friends at Miller’s Ale House in New Springville to watch NFL football on Sunday afternoons.
Additionally, Hart was also passionate about fantasy sports and won his league multiple times over the years.
Moreover, he shared his love for movies and sports with his brothers in the warmth of their family home.
Sadly, he preceded his elderly parents in death, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, humor, and generosity.
Additional Information
- Stephen attended the now-defunct St. Margaret Mary’s parochial school in Midland Beach and graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School in Oakwood in 1982.
- He was a dedicated member of the Advance Sports Department for a long time, where he also started his journey.
- Furthermore, Hart was also a 2015 inductee of the Staten Island Advance 25-year Club, where he was close friends with colleague, Mary Lee.
