KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A longtime leader in the Santa Clarita Valley and former Man of the Year died on Monday morning after an apparent heart attack.
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Duane Harte, chairman of the Santa Clarita Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission and the 2003 SCV Man of the Year, died early Monday morning in a hospital.
“Duane has been involved in the community for as long as I have known him and before that,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Bob Kellar. “He’s the heart of Santa Clarita because he has done so much… We lost one of our great ones this morning. He’s a good friend. He will be sorely missed.”
Kellar noted that he saw Harte the day before his death at the Festival of Trees, where he served as the facilities chair.
In 1974, Harte moved to the Santa Clarita Valley. He and his wife, Pauline, have lived in Canyon Country, Valencia and Newhall where they raised their two daughters, Donna and Denise, according to the city of Santa Clarita’s website.
In addition, Harte was also the president of the SCV Veteran’s Memorial Committee and was involved in numerous organizations, including: Friends of Mentryville, SCV Historical Society, SCV Committee on Aging, SCV Historical Veterans Plaza Committee, Friends of the Libraries of the SCV and the Canyon Theatre Guild Board of Directors, according to the city’s website.
“Duane was one of those guys who was always behind the scenes, either pulling up his sleeves and lending a hand, or sharing his wisdom to guide a non-profit,” said KHTS AM-1220 co-owners Jeri Seratti-Goldman and Carl Goldman.
“He was passionate about making Santa Clarita the wonderful community it has become and keeping it that way. We know his significant incredible efforts over the years will continue to impact all of us,” the Goldman’s said. “Our hearts go out to Pauline and family and to our entire valley. We lost one of our incredible leaders today.”
Harte was the owner of Academy Addressing and Mailing, a direct mail and printing service in Sun Valley, and retired in 1990 as Senior Chief Petty Officer from the U.S. Naval Reserve after 23 years of service, according to his biography on the city’s website.
Harte was also a former chairman of the SCV Chamber of Commerce, former chairman of the Newhall Redevelopment Committee, the founding president of the SCV Senior Center Charitable Foundation and the vice-chairman of the Santa Clarita Parade Committee, according to the city’s website.
“This is such sad news. I had known Duane for years, having interacted with him in my Chamber days going back to the late 90’s,” said George Cummings, a radio host for KHTS AM-1220.
Cummings mentioned that he kept Harte’s “Duane Harte For City Council” pin from his first bid in the early 2000’s.
“When he ran again a few years ago, I showed it to him when he came in for an interview,” said Cummings. “He told me to hold onto it just in case he didn’t win this time, that he might try again.”
Cummings saw Harte on Oct. 30, 2015 at a city-sponsored Halloween event.
“We had a brief conversation,” Cummings said, “and he seemed so happy to have time to devote to events such as that one.”
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Duane was a fellow City Commissioner, we shared the honor of being Chamber of Commerce Presidents and worked together on many projects but more important he was a longtime friend. Words cannot express his passing and our community will miss his keen leadership skills, kindness and dedication. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this difficult time. While there is no official Navy motto, an unofficial reads: “Non sibi sed patriae” – “Not for Self but Country” … I think this one says it all. Gary and Robin Choppe’
I am so very sorry to hear this news. Pauline, my heart goes out to you and your daughters.
Stacey Williams (Don’s widow)
It was no surprise that just this past Saturday evening Duane turned out for the Boys & Girls Club Festival of Trees supporting yet another community event for a foundation in need. As his record shows he led by example, by getting in and participating. Personally and professionally, that’s the kind of person that is missed most.
Our condolences to Duane’s family,
Billy Kornfeld
Duane was one of the finest men I’ve ever known…always very friendly, supportive, kind, knowledgeable, and always with a great sense of humor regarding the tremendous amount of time he volunteered, and the things he did to make Santa Clarita the town we love so much…Duane was a great mentor to me in 2004, when he was serving as Chairman of the Board for the SCV Chamber of Commerce, and I was Chairman- elect. I always looked forward to seeing he and Pauline, and Donna and Denise at the 4th of July Parade, and other community events. Duane had a friendly smile, a welcoming handshake and a great laugh…he always made me feel like family…the only photo I’ve ever liked of myself is the one of Duane and I standing back to back on the cover of the Magazine of Santa Clarita in 2004, with Duane handing me the Chamber of Commerce gavel in advance of the 2005 Chamber Installation Dinner…Duane and I laughed about that photo every time we got together, and it has been, and will continue to be, a very fond and lasting memory for me, to have had the privilege of sharing that moment and so many others with Duane…a True Gentleman of our community…I will miss him greatly…My thoughts and prayers go out to Pauline, Donna and Denise…
Although I did not know this gentleman personally, Mr. Harte was someone that I have long admired for his service and citizenship. I held him in special esteem for his work with groups honoring our veterans. He supported so many worthy causes in our fair city and offered an inspiring example to all of us in the Santa Clarita Valley. We have truly lost a great neighbor, but his legacy of volunteerism will not soon be forgotten. We send our sincere sympathies to his family and friends in their time of loss. Kelly and Maureen Dunnahoo
On behalf of our family, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone for all the kind words expressed and the wonderful stories shared. My uncle was an amazing man with a heart of gold. While he was taken from us far too early, the outpouring of emotion following his unexpected death is a true testament to his incredible life and unwavering character. You will be truly missed, Uncle Duane. Thank you for being the great man that you were…and the family that you will always be.
I was with Duane all week working at the Festival of Trees Event for the Boys & Girls Club, and on Sunday morning we were joking and having a good time waiting for the Sports Center to open. I almost fainted when I heard the news on Monday morning. He was a good friend, and a great American, he will be missed.
Duane will be sorely missed. He did so much for this community, but never craved the spotlight. We were still keeping his campaign sign, hoping he’d run again for City Council. He would have made a great council member.
Like so many others have expressed, Duane always impressed me with his friendly and helpful ways. He was one of those gracious people who just make you feel better having spent time with him. Years after serving as a Chamber board member, he continued to be involved as a chamber Ambassador. He regularly attended and offered his help at Chamber mixers and other events. His kindness and smile will be truly missed.
What a shock. Pam and I send our sympathies. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pauline and the rest of the family. Duane will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
The Harte’s were our next door neighbors for 8 years and we enjoyed their friendship very much. Duane was one of the nicest people we ever met. We just saw him at a friends retirement party. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Harte family.