E. Douglas Hart Jr.

E. Douglas Hart, Jr., 76, of Beaufort, South Carolina, died at his residence on March 9, 2026. Born on June 18, 1949, in Poughkeepsie, New York, he was the son of the late Edward Douglas Hart, Sr., and Mary Katherine Armstrong Hart.

Doug graduated from Johnstown High School in 1967 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He completed basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and served in Vietnam from December 1968 until November 1969. After returning, he served on the rifle range at Parris Island and was selected as a Drill Instructor, an honor he carried with great pride. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant before completing his service in 1973. Prior to leaving the Corps, he married Jeannice Wood, and the couple returned to Johnstown, New York, where they raised their family.

Doug worked in the family business at O’Connor’s Tavern before joining his father at Baronet Litho. He rose to become President and CEO, leading the company until his retirement in 2006. In retirement, he remained dedicated to service, volunteering as Adjutant for the Beaufort DAV Chapter 12 and later serving as Director of Transportation for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center until the day he died. He was an active member of AMVETS, the Marine Corps League, NOTR, and the East Coast DI Association of Parris Island.

He is survived by his wife of many years, Jeannice Wood Hart; one son, E. Douglas Hart, III; one daughter, Julee Ann Hart; two brothers, Steven Thomas Hart (Lori) and George Wallace Hart (William); one sister, Deborah Jean Callery (Jack); and a sister-in-law, Ellen E. Hart. He was predeceased by a brother, Thomas Aquinas Hart, in 2019. Aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive him.

Doug loved bowling, hunting at Papa’s camp, fishing on Caroga Lake and Great Sacandaga Lake, and playing baseball. He enjoyed challenges, solving problems, and leading the way, qualities he showed when he sailed AT EASE II down the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway with Jeannice and his brother Steven. Golf was a special passion he shared with his son and his brother Tom; all three earned titles at Nick Stoner Golf Course. In later years, he continued the game through online golf with the OCGL, forming friendships with players around the world.