2005 at the Haven Health Center in Claremont.
He was born in Granby, PQ Canada on November 20, 1921 the son of Antonio and Marie (Maurais) Hardy and resided in Claremont most of his life. He
attended St Mary's Schools in Claremont.
Mr. Hardy worked at Bryant Grinder Corp. in Springfield, VT for four years.
He served in the NH State National Guard before entering the US Navy Seabees and served in the South Pacific during World War II. (CBMU 564 CBMU527 "Construction Base Maintenance Unit") Upon the conclusion of the War, he formed a partnership with his brother, Roger. This business was known as Hardy Brothers Home Builders which built homes in Claremont, Hanover, West Lebanon and Norwich, VT. He retired in the 1980's. He helped form the Claremont Industrial Park and served on the Claremont City Council for two terms. He was also a director of the Claremont National Bank and Bank East. Besides being on the Hospital Board for several years, he was a member of the Board of Catholic Charities of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. His expertise in the area of construction and his deep compassion for the sick and poor combined to make him very well appreciated in these positions.
He was a former member of the Father Cote Council and Father Cote Assembly
Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus as well as a former member of the Loyal
Order of Moose Lodge #1201, the B.P.O.Elks Lodge #879, the American Legion
Post #29, the Oliver Lacasse Post 808 V.F.W. and the National Association of
the US Navy Seabees. He was very surprised and pleased when in 1996 he
learned that he had been chosen to be one of the nationwide torch bearers in
the 1996 Olympics. He was chosen for this honor because of his volunteer
work for the community, assisting the elderly, and school children in
Claremont and at other NH locations. After his retirement he made wooden
crafts which he then donated to some of the schools in Claremont as well as
to the elderly at Sullivan County Nursing Home and the Veterans Hospital.
He was an avid tennis player and loved to play every chance he could.
His gentleness and loving kindness came through constantly as he tried to
make life better for those he met. He was a father who knew how to help his
son grow in life. He became an example of what it means to be a full human
being through his compassion, honesty and gentle kindness to all. These
qualities allowed him to contribute greatly to the people and city of
Claremont and the surrounding area. He will be missed very much by those
who knew him.
George was the widower of Cecile M. (Hamel) Hardy whom he married on
November 4, 1939 and she died August 1, 2005.
The family includes one son, Professor Richard P. Hardy of San Francisco,
CA; one adopted grandson, Sophal Hardy Cheam; two great grandchildren of
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; three brothers, Paul Hardy and Charles Hardy both
of Claremont and Roger Hardy of Porte Ste Lucie, FL; two sisters, Dolores
Blish of Claremont and Pauline Gendron of Manchester and many nieces and
nephews as well as grand nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Rosaire Hardy and a sister, Antoinette Brown.
Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St. in Claremont on
Sunday afternoon from 2 to 4 PM.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday morning,
September 5th at Ten O'clock in St. Joseph Church with Rev. Stanley J.
Piwowar, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Charles
Children's Home, 19 Grant St., Rochester NH 03867, St. Vincent de Paul
Society or St. Mary's Church Renovation Fund, both at 32 Pearl Street, St.
Mary's School, 18 Central Street or St. Joseph Church Renovation Fund, PO
Box 824, all of Claremont, NH 03743.