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Jeremiah “Jerry” Francis Hartnett of Carabelle, Florida and formerly of Uniondale and East Hampton, died on January 10, 2017, at Brentwood Lecanto Health Center in Florida. He was 84.
Mr. Hartnett was born on December 9, 1932, in Mineola, to Francis J. and Loretta (Lowe) Hartnett. He was Catholic by faith and a 4th degree Knight of Columbus. He served his country as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Following the war, he attended Hofstra College, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Mr. Hartnett was an accomplished puppeteer who traveled the world entertaining people. He once performed for former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn.
Besides cruise ships and night clubs, Mr. Hartnett also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, the Johnny Carson Show, and earlier, while still serving in the Navy, appeared on Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour, and Paul Whiteman’s TV Teen Club. He also once appeared with Bozo the Clown.
Mr. Hartnett handmade most of his puppets, and he, along with his mother, made their costumes. The family plans on donating his puppets to a puppet museum.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, William and Thomas; and a sister, Helen Ruth. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mr. Hartnett’s ashes will be interred at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, during a ceremony with military honors on April 22 at 11 a.m.
on Apr 7, 2017