It was always a treat to see Stu at the Stampede shows as you could see
him perk up when bell time hit. Afterward he would always have kind
things to say and make you feel like you were doing really well even if
your match sucked. At his 88th birthday show in May, all the guys on the
card pulled out all the stops because we all wanted to make Stu proud of
us. And I think we put on one of the best indy wrestling cards of all
time that night. Everyone wanted to impress Stu, no matter if it was in
or out of the ring. He was just one of those remarkable people that draw
folks to them like moths to a flame. And still he always had time for
everyone. Young, old, rich, poor it didn't matter, Stu would always give
his time.
Time. It's such a precious commodity. You never have enough to do the
things you need or want to do. Whenever someone is taken from you some
of your first words are invariably "I wish I had spent more time
with..." On the night before Stu died I asked Nattie Niedhart how he was
doing and she told me not too good. So I made a promise to go and visit
him the next day. I woke up Thursday morning and had some errands to run
and to hit the gym. I thought to myself "I'll do my running around and
hit the gym, then get cleaned up and make myself presentable and go to
the hospital." At around 3:30 I finished at the gym and when I turned on
my phone I had two messages telling me the news.
I wish I had gone to the hospital first.
I wish I had been able to say goodbye.
I wish I had more time to spend with him.
Most of all I wish Stu peace and a safe journey.
God Bless you Stu, you were my hero and a tremendous role model. I will
miss you.
Johnny Devine lives in Calgary, Alberta and is one of the top
independent wrestlers in Western Canada and a graduate of the Hart
Dungeon. SLAM! Wrestling did a profile on him in January 2002: A
Hot Shot in the ring. To contact him visit his official website at
www.geocities.com/hotshotdevine.
More
on Stu Hart
Buy
Stu Hart's biography in the SLAM! Wrestling store
Stu Hart Photo Gallery
You are invited to sign Stu Hart's Book of Condolence at www.ObituariesToday.com
