Toby Hart, 78, lost his 3 year long battle with lung cancer on Dec. 6, 2023 at his home at Scott Lake with his wife Janice and daughter, LeAnn by his side. He was on hospice for 5 months.
Toby was born Aug. 31, 1945 to Allan Hart and Alice Hart Olsen in Aberdeen. He graduated from Weatherwax High School with the class of 1963. While a Bobcat he played basketball and baseball but baseball was his sport. He attended G.H. College in 1964 and pitched baseball for the Chokers. From there he pitched for the semi-pro team Centralia Pavers for four years and enjoyed every minute. In 1965 he served with the National Guard in Aberdeen.
In 1965, he married Janice Plesha in Aberdeen and together they had 2 daughters, LeAnn and Toni and made their home in Hoquiam. He started hunting as a young boy with his dad and it became a passion of his for over 65 years. Toby hunted alongside his brother-in-law Terry Plato for 56 years and in 1984 they began bow hunting. He was a member of the Grays Harbor Bowmen. For many, many years, Toby and Terry would set up Elk Camp at Lake Quinault. He was no longer able to hunt the past 2 years due to his illness.
In his younger years he was employed by Anderson and Middleton and built logging roads alongside his father-in-law Matt Plesha. He worked for Garrett Freightlines for several years. He was employed by Hoquiam School District in maintenance for over 20 years until his retirement.
He spent many summers with his family at his in-laws’ summer home on Summit Lake. He had fond memories of playing slowpitch, golfing, fishing, clam digging, ski trips to the mountains, four trips to Maui and two cruises to Alaska. After his daughters were raised, he and his wife, Janice built a log home on seven acres overlooking the bay at Grass Creek. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s activities and playing sports and followed them wherever the team went.
He and his wife were “snow birds” from 2006 to 2013 after they bought a home in Arizona. He enjoyed playing golf and slowpitch while living there. After selling their homes they settled at Scott Lake in Olympia for the past 10 years. He was a member of SLAMS club. One of his greatest pleasures was spending time with his Boston Terrier, Rudy.
Four days before his death, he celebrated the marriage of his grandson Brody and bride Elise and surprised everyone by dancing with the bride to “It’s a Wonderful World.” It will remain a wonderful last memory for his family.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 58 years, Janice and daughter LeAnn Hart Bennett of Olympia and former son-in-law Ron Bennett of Hoquiam. Also his grandchildren: Brooke Barrie (Matthew) of Rathdrum, Idaho; Trey Bennett of Olympia; Brody Bennett (Elise) of Tacoma; Kenna Christensen (Paul) of Canyon Lake, California; Brea Law (Rowan) of Lake Havasu, Arizona and Blaike Broten of Canyon Lake, California; eight great-grandchildren: Freya, Riker and Hakkon Barrie; Ezra Bennett; Halston and Halan Law; and Tatum and Teague Christensen; a sister Patti Rae Novak (Mike) of Olympia, sister-in-law Colleen Plato (Terry) of Sun City West, Arizona along with many nieces, nephews and loving cousins.
Toby was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Toni Hart Broten and parents, Allan Hart and Alice Olsen and in-laws, Matt and Clara Plesha.
There will be a celebration of life in early spring. The date will be announced later.
