Joseph Mills Hart, Jr., age 65, of Atlanta, GA passed away quietly, peacefully and surrounded by family on Friday, February 14, 2020. Born June 25, 1954, in Willimantic, CT, he was the son of the late Joseph Mills Hart and Anna Romanoff. He attended New England College and Southern Connecticut State University before starting his career as a successful businessman.

Joe played a large role in the development and growth of the Subway Restaurant Franchise. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia in the mid 1980's to develop and expand the southeast region of the company. He received countless awards over the years for his great accomplishments. Joe was a tireless businessman who settled for nothing less than perfection and his drive inspired those around him.

Joe was passionate about his family, his farmland, his animals and preserving history through his extensive collection of antiques and patent models and found great joy in sharing this collection with friends and family.Joe loved to tell the story behind each piece as well as the adventure of acquiring it.Among his final wishes was to create a patent model and historic farm equipment museum to protect and display his most cherished items for others to enjoy.

He is survived by his children: Joseph Mills Hart, III (Jennifer), Brittany Anna Hart, Katherine Casey Hart, Emily Ansley Hart, and Peter Andrew Hart; grandchildren: Jordyn Hart, Julia Hart, and Andrew Hart; siblings: Beriah Hart and David Hart (Joyce); and the mothers of his children: Cheri Holliday and Beleda Hart.

A private burial and celebration of Joe's life will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020. Flowers can be sent to Strickland Funeral Home of Lavonia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Honor of Joseph Mills Hart, Jr to the Goizueta Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. (http://alzheimers.emory.edu/support/donate-now.html)