Obituary for Eric B. "Bart" Green
On Sunday, January 22, 2023, Eric B. “Bart” Green passed away at the age of 69. After a string of medical setbacks, he died peacefully of natural causes and surrounded by family.
Eric was born in Reading to Mary Jane (Hulet) Green and the late Albert B. Green. Eric grew up working hard on the family farm and graduated from Blue Mountain High School—even though he told everyone that he was the kind of student that when he graduated, they “gave him his diploma and $10 if he promised to never say where he got it.” It was while he was in high school that he met Gailette M. (Hartman) Green at a dance at C.J. Hummel’s in Lenhartsville. Apparently, it was Eric’s dance moves that helped him woo the young woman, and they were later married on July 28, 1973. At weddings and parties, Eric took every opportunity to dance with his wife until an accident in 2010 took his mobility. For the 49 years of their marriage, everyone who met them could see exactly what true love looked like.
Eric and Gailette worked together in Perry Township to create a home, a business, and a family. There, he established Barts’ Transmissions, where he worked as a mechanic for many years. He was proud of his successful business, but it was his family and friends that truly made Eric happy and proud.
Eric was a loving and involved father. He made time to attend every high-school musical, Scout meeting, and band event. He never had trouble expressing how much he loved his son, Nathanael, or his daughter, Erica. He became a father figure in the lives of many of his children’s friends with welcoming arms, a brash joke, and a good meal. He opened his home to all this way, and in particular to Briana Anderson, whom Eric loved and spoke of as a daughter.
Eric was a member of First United Church of Christ, Hamburg, where he served as an elder, helped coordinate mission trips, and offered his time and fix-it skills to support the church’s mission house. Throughout his life, he was a member of the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America, a Scout Master for Scout Troop #118, and a drum major with the Hawk Mountain Highlanders bagpipe band.
His trademark handlebar mustache, thick beard, large stature, and mischievous twinkle of his eye made him a stunning candidate to play Santa Claus. For many years, he appeared at events throughout the area in a Victorian Santa outfit (made by Gailette) and found great joy in bringing smiles to children.
Eric will be sorely missed and survived by his wife; children: Nathanael B. Green, husband of Jessica M., Ballston Spa, NY; Erica M., wife of Daniel A. Harman, Cherry Hill, NJ; Briana M. Anderson, Perry Township; and two grandsons: Callum B. and Owen W. Green. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Jane Green, three sisters: Susan E. Green; April J. Green; and Judy K. (Green) Klee, all of Orwigsburg; and by many nieces and nephews.
Despite setbacks to his health, including a motorcycle accident, falling off multiple roofs, and narrowly escaping accidental electrocution, anyone who asked Eric how he was doing got one of his favorite movie quotes: “I ain’t dead yet!”
For all who loved him, he still ain’t dead. We will remember him always.
We will celebrate Eric’s life with a memorial service at 5 PM, Friday, January 27 at the First Reformed United Church of Christ at 76 S. Third Street, Hamburg. A visitation with the family will be held from 4-5 PM. In true spirit of Eric’s generosity and faith, he asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg, is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.
Eric was born in Reading to Mary Jane (Hulet) Green and the late Albert B. Green. Eric grew up working hard on the family farm and graduated from Blue Mountain High School—even though he told everyone that he was the kind of student that when he graduated, they “gave him his diploma and $10 if he promised to never say where he got it.” It was while he was in high school that he met Gailette M. (Hartman) Green at a dance at C.J. Hummel’s in Lenhartsville. Apparently, it was Eric’s dance moves that helped him woo the young woman, and they were later married on July 28, 1973. At weddings and parties, Eric took every opportunity to dance with his wife until an accident in 2010 took his mobility. For the 49 years of their marriage, everyone who met them could see exactly what true love looked like.
Eric and Gailette worked together in Perry Township to create a home, a business, and a family. There, he established Barts’ Transmissions, where he worked as a mechanic for many years. He was proud of his successful business, but it was his family and friends that truly made Eric happy and proud.
Eric was a loving and involved father. He made time to attend every high-school musical, Scout meeting, and band event. He never had trouble expressing how much he loved his son, Nathanael, or his daughter, Erica. He became a father figure in the lives of many of his children’s friends with welcoming arms, a brash joke, and a good meal. He opened his home to all this way, and in particular to Briana Anderson, whom Eric loved and spoke of as a daughter.
Eric was a member of First United Church of Christ, Hamburg, where he served as an elder, helped coordinate mission trips, and offered his time and fix-it skills to support the church’s mission house. Throughout his life, he was a member of the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America, a Scout Master for Scout Troop #118, and a drum major with the Hawk Mountain Highlanders bagpipe band.
His trademark handlebar mustache, thick beard, large stature, and mischievous twinkle of his eye made him a stunning candidate to play Santa Claus. For many years, he appeared at events throughout the area in a Victorian Santa outfit (made by Gailette) and found great joy in bringing smiles to children.
Eric will be sorely missed and survived by his wife; children: Nathanael B. Green, husband of Jessica M., Ballston Spa, NY; Erica M., wife of Daniel A. Harman, Cherry Hill, NJ; Briana M. Anderson, Perry Township; and two grandsons: Callum B. and Owen W. Green. He is also survived by his mother, Mary Jane Green, three sisters: Susan E. Green; April J. Green; and Judy K. (Green) Klee, all of Orwigsburg; and by many nieces and nephews.
Despite setbacks to his health, including a motorcycle accident, falling off multiple roofs, and narrowly escaping accidental electrocution, anyone who asked Eric how he was doing got one of his favorite movie quotes: “I ain’t dead yet!”
For all who loved him, he still ain’t dead. We will remember him always.
We will celebrate Eric’s life with a memorial service at 5 PM, Friday, January 27 at the First Reformed United Church of Christ at 76 S. Third Street, Hamburg. A visitation with the family will be held from 4-5 PM. In true spirit of Eric’s generosity and faith, he asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg, is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.