Submitted by: Dan Rich

Leon J. Hart

Nov. 2, 1928 - Sept. 24, 2002

South Bend Tribune 9/27/2002

Leon J. Hart, 73, of Birmingham, Mich., since 1955, died Monday, Sept. 23, in South Bend, Ind. He was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Turtle Creek, Pa.

Mr. Hart won the Heisman Trophy in 1949, and lead Notre Dame to three national titles in 1946, 1947 and 1949. He was named Male Athlete of the Year in 1949 by the Associated Press. Mr. Hart went on to play eight seasons with the Detroit Lions, helping them win titles in 1942, 1952 and 1957. He earned All-Pro honors on offense and defense in 1951. In 1973, Mr. Hart was inducted into the College Hall of Fame. After his retirement from football, Mr. Hart was involved in the running of a number of businesses.

Mr. Hart was preceded in death by his wife, Lois (Newyahr). He is survived by his children, Leon Jr. (Melanie), Bill (Denise), Martin (Wendy), Kevin (Martie), Judd (Alicia) and Mara (Doug Filo); and by 14 grandchildren, Michael, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Catherine, Heather, Kimberly, Brendan, Jennifer, Conor, Lauren Filo, Rebecca Filo, Megan, Ashley and Tyler.

Funeral from Holy Name Church, 630 Harmon Street, Birmingham, on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m. Friends may visit in the church beginning at 9 a.m. Visitation at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks Road, Clawson, Mich., today, Sept. 27, from 2 to 8 p.m. A Rosary will be at 7 p.m.

A Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the Notre Dame campus, followed by interment at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, Ind., on Sunday. Memorials to Mary's Solitude, Attn: Sr. Virginia, 1000 Lourdes Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.