John Eugene (Gene) Hart Jr. died peacefully of complications from colon cancer on Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2001. Married in 1957, he is survived by his wife, Claire' his older brother, Richard, of Woodbridge, CT; his younger sister, Berry, of New Orleans, LA; his children, Steve, Kevin, Gary and Nancy, and seven grandchildren.

Gene was born in New York City on Dec. 31, 1928, and grew up in Manhasset where he lived with his parents on Ryder Road in Munsey Park from 1928 to 1948. He attended St. Mary's School in Manhasset and belonged to the local Boy Scouts and the Village Bath Club. He was educated at Yale, earning a degree in history in 1952. He was an advertising executive with Young and Rubican, working in their Manhattan, Houston and San Francisco offices for 30 years. He retired as a senior vice president in 1990 and moved to Tucson, AZ, where his interests included woodworking, sailing radio controlled model yachts and reading. Memorials in his name may be made to the Foundation for Animals in Risk (FAIR) 4072 E. 22 St., #303, Tucson, AZ 85711 or Arizona Cancer Center/UAF, 1515 N. Campbell Ave., P. O. Box 245103, Tucson, AZ 85724.

Port Washington again mourns the loss of a well-liked Schreiber boy, lost in a fatal car accident. Kyle Muller, class of '95, died tragically at 2 a.m. on March 6, on Middle Neck Road. His Volkswagen Jetta was heading north and skidded across the oncoming lane at Luckenback Road. It then slammed into a light pole, said Detective John Ash, adding that the young man was speeding.

Also lost in the crash was Nassau Community College student Jennifer Avdoulos, 22, who lived on Sterling Lane. She was new to Port Washington, and worked as a receptionist at an animal hospital. Consistently on the dean's list, Jennifer's father said that she was the "most dedicated girl you'll ever meet."

Friends report that Kyle was just giving Jennifer, an acquaintance, a ride home.

Detectives report that drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a contributing factor in this accident, however.

His friends say Kyle will be remembered for his gift for friendship, especially his loyalty and the fact that he would always be there for a friend. He also possessed a wonderful sense of humor and great smile, which he sported most of the time. "Spontaneous," was another adjective used to describe this young man.

Hundred and hundreds of people attended the services for Kyle. "He was not disliked by anyone," a friend said. They spoke of how much he would be missed.

"He had just gotten his life together," close friends say. He recently completed a rigorous training program to become a Long Island Rail Road conductor, and had started to work.

A real Port boy, he loved lacrosse; and, as an avid fisherman, he also loved the bay.

He comes from a great family: Joan and Mark Muller of Alden Lane, his sister Corinne, 22, and other close relatives. He also leaves his longtime girlfriend, Aileen, who is considered part of the Muller famil Kyle's parents grew up in Manhasset. His mother was Joan Randall and his father Mark Muller.

Kyle's skin was donated to the New York City Fire Department's Burn Center. This should help about 40 burn victims. His parents also donated his eyes.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the New York City Firemen's Fund.

- Jackie Pierangelo