Burton P. Hart, 86, passed away at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Saturday, after a brief illness. Born in Boston, Burton was raised in Warren ME, where he graduated from Commerce High and from the Maine Maritime Academy. He served many years in the Merchant Marines during WW II. Burt earned his Ship's Master License in California. He worked at the Eagle Can Co for 15 years, was a machinist at Sunnyhurst, and served as the 1st Mate on the ' Pioneer ', the Vanderbuilt Family Yacht, under his father Capt. Walter Hart, for many years.Burt was Captain on the ATS (Army Transport Ship) in Australia and the Sea Witch. Burt was a Life-member of Fidelity Lodge of Masons and the First Congregational Church of Melrose. Son of the late Captain Walter M. and Florence ( Wilcox ) Hart , he was the devoted husband of Grace R. (Scarpa) Hart. Loving father of Warren Hart & his wife Sharon of Strafford, NH, Lisa (Hart) Gray & her husband Robert of Windham, NH and Lorraine (Hart) Bidgood & her husband Peter of Melrose. Brother of Aris Little of Laguna Hills, CA and the late Walter Hart & Warren Hart. Beloved grandfather of James Gray, Jennifer Hart, Mary Bidgood and Kristine Gray. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held at the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Wednesday, May 28th from 2-4 & 7-9PM. Relatives and friends invited. Funeral services will be held on Thurs. May 29th at the Gately Funeral Home at 10AM. Committal immediately following at Wyoming Cemetery Melrose. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Burt's memory to the First Congregational Church, 121 W. Foster St. Melrose 02176. WWII Merchant Marine Veteran.