I just heard that Dave Guerin passed away yesterday at the age of 93.

Anyone who has been involved with HART in the last 15 years knew Dave (or at least knew of him). He first stared doing shows with us in 1994 (he was 77) when we did “Annie Get Your Gun.” He played Buffalo Bill albeit a Buffalo Bill that could never remember to zip his fly. He kept popping up and doing shows over the years (“Diamond Studs,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Parade” to name a few). His last show with us as a cast member was “Ragtime” in 2005. He had trouble with the few lines he had and everyone was kinda scared he was going to break his hip or just drop over dead. After “Ragtime,” he became a regular fixture at opening nights. He was always there with a smile and excitement to be seeing the show. He probably loved HART more than any of us could realize. Last year, we all noticed that he wasn’t coming to the opening nights anymore.

Dave had been in declining health the last few years, so news that he has passed on isn’t really a surprise. Just sad.

Now, I don’t want this to sound like I loved the man. Those of you who know me know that I had not a lot of patience with him. He did leave me onstage all by myself one time … and I have held a grudge over that.

But I do admire the man for his pluck (before his health got bad he was always scheming something or wanting to audition for a play or musical). He just loved being a part of the show. And to start doing something like live theater when you’re 77 and keep going from there is pretty damn cool.

So long, Dave.