Kyle “Fireball” Hartman. Kyle D. Hartman, son of the late Cornelius W. and Priscilla A. T. Hartman, was born on September 9, 1949 in Buffalo, NY and passed March 13, 2019 in his home in Rensselaer Falls, NY.
Kyle was a 1967 graduate of Orchard Park High School, SUNY Potsdam with a BA in 1971, and Masters in Media Management & Instructional Technology 1989. He was certified to teach 7-12 History and K-12 Art.
“Fireball” has spent his life as a classic car enthusiast and photographer. He was the owner of River House Wares & Restoration, and has an inventory of architectural salvage. “River House Wares”, a green business, is dedicated to recycling & repurposing architectural salvage & accessories in order to change and enhance your personal space.”
Kyle has been involved in restoration across the St Lawrence County and photographed many North Country people and locations during his “This Place Matters” photography project inspired by National Preservation.
His artist’s statement reads “I am a photographer. I find my subject in the context of my life. I choose historical themes. I feel that the present is ‘a day away from being history’. I am a social activist in that I engage in whatever I am doing and I document the life I lead and often share images with others.
Kyle was a member of and supports many of the North Country historical organizations and he was a member of the ESSAR Thousand Islands Chapter, many Car Clubs including Seaway Cruisers and Falcon Club of America.
He is survived by his wife Sally White Hartman, son David and granddaughter Lariah Anne Rose, sister Karen (Hartman) & Charles Stemples, Florida, nephew Chip & Beth ( Dawley) Stemples, and family, daughter Emma Stemples and son Colton Stemples, Lisbon, niece Kareena Stemples and son Grayden, Potsdam, and brother Will Henry Hartman & wife Vickie (Bray) and daughter Ciara Hartman, Blairsville GA, and their three sons Tyler and Carey (Routhier) Hartman, Blairsville GA, Will Hartman, and Cornelius (Cory) & wife Neenah (Ramos) Hartman, Bryson City NC.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Kyle’s 70th Birthday, September 9th, 2019 at the Morrison Mill in Rensselaer Falls, from 9 am until 9 pm. All are welcome. Music and refreshments.
Kyle’s parting quote: “There will be some people who will miss Kyle when he is gone, and I will be one of them”. Kyle David Hartman 2019
Donations may be sent to the Rensselaer Falls Historical Society ℅ Robert Poor. Rensselaer Falls, NY 13680.
Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.olearyfuneralservice.com. Arrangements for Kyle D. “Fireball” Hartman are under the care of the O’Leary Funeral Service of Canton.