Quote:Stu Hart, the patriarch of the famous Hart wrestling family, passed away this afternoon at 2:25 PM Rocky Mountain Time, from what is believed to have been complications of pneumonia in Calgary, Albert Canada. A statement made by Bret Hart's office listed Stu's passing as \"due to natural causes.\" He was 88.

Hart, one of the biggest names in professional wrestling to ever come out of Canada, had been hospitalized at Rockyview Hospital for the past week while being treated for an elbow infection stemming from a fall from home and a swollen stomach believed to have been caused by a instestinal infection. While in the hospital, Hart developed pneumonia.

Hart, the father of Bret Hart and the late Owen Hart, had a hand with training a number of top wrestling stars in the infamous \"Dungeon\" as well as promoting one of the more famous Canadian wrestling territories, Stampede Wrestling.

Hart's life had been told in the biography Stu Hart: Lord of the Ring by Martha Erb, published in March 2002.

A public statement from Bret Hart is expected for later this evening, according to a message on his office's voicemail.

1Wrestling.com would like to pass on it's condolenses to the fans, friends, and family of Stu Hart.