Jun 18, 2002 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A former councilman and educator known for voicing his opinion and sticking to his beliefs will be missed by those who worked along side him in various capacities throughout the city. James “Pete” Hartz, 72, died Sunday at his Johnson Avenue home, with his family by his side.

“Pete was a good man,” said city Mayor Judy Reed. “He always worked for the betterment of the people; not for himself, or someone close to him, but for all the residents.

“He spoke for what he believed in and opened the door for change here in Connellsville.”

Hartz, who served one term on council, from 1996-2000, was often in the minority when proposing new initiatives or being berated for questioning the actions of those sitting across the council table, added Reed.

“He wanted things to be better for the people of Connellsville and he wanted those who led the city to be accountable for their actions that affected the operation of the city,” she said.

Former Councilman Ted Alisantrino was one who was often at odds with Hartz.

“We argued and fought a lot; we agreed on things once in awhile, but that’s how things go,” said Alisantrino. “That never changed how I felt about Pete, as a man; it’s just how things worked on council.

“You don’t get too many people like Pete; he was a great guy.”

Prior to seeking office, Hartz was a familiar face at the Immaculate Conception High School and later at several elementary school buildings within the Connellsville Area School District where he taught math.

Former Zachariah Connell Elementary School principal Vincent DiPaolo said Hartz was an integral part of the education program at the school during the five years prior to his retirement in 1992.

“He was invaluable to me when I first started there and I turned to Pete whenever I had a question,” said DiPaolo. “If he didn’t have the answer he knew where to lead me to find one.”

DiPaolo said Hartz was popular with the students and knew most of them by name.

“Pete was a good guy and he is going to be missed by a lot of people,” he said.

Hartz also served on several boards and authorities, including the Connellsville Housing Authority, the Connellsville Senior Citizens Center, the city recreation board and the Carnegie Free Library board of directors.

Librarian Julia Allen said Hartz faithfully attended the board of directors meetings, and believed in its mission. “Mr. Hartz thought the library was very important to Connellsville,” she said.

Friends will be received in the Paul G. Fink Funeral Home Inc., 418 N. Pittsburgh St., Connellsville, today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. A blessing service will be held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. A funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, with the Rev. Terry Hercik as celebrant.