Ernest A. Hardy, 84, of Bedford, NH, died with his loving family by his side on November 18, 2015 at Catholic Medical Center.
He was born in Everett, MA on September 13, 1931 to Michael and Dana (MacMillan) Hardy. Ernest spent most of his life in Malden and Stoneham, MA, later moving to Bedford, NH, where he spent the last 14 years. He was a graduate of Malden High School and studied at Northeastern University completing a degree program in accounting.
During the Korean War he served in the U.S. Army as Master Sergeant and later served as a Second Lieutenant , 182nd Infantry of the Massachusetts National Guard. He retired as a Reserve Commissioned Officer of the Army and he is a proud recipient of the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge. Ernest worked for many years as the payroll manager for Beacon Companies at Rowe’s Wharf in Boston, retiring in 1996.
In his life, Ernest coached and served as president of the Stoneham Youth Hockey League. He was the president of the VFW in both Stoneham and North Andover, MA. where he received the Commander Award for exceptional leadership and devoted service. He was an accomplished candlepin bowler and the secretary treasurer of the Malden City Bowling League. Ernest had a love of all sports, most for the New England Teams, and Ted Williams was his all time favorite sports player. He was an avid reader and enjoyed Tom Clancy novels. He enjoyed camping and also had a love for dogs, mainly for Golden Retrievers. Ernest was very social, extremely outgoing, was very witty and had an incredible sense of humor. He was a very thoughtful, caring man who was always so generous to his family and to his friends. His grandchildren were his passion and he always put them first. Above all, Ernest will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Ernest was predeceased by his beloved wife of 37 years, Pauline (Ames) Hardy, in 1993; and both of his parents.
The immediate family includes his son, Stephen Hardy and his wife Barbara of Bedford, NH; and his three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Bridget and Ryan Hardy of Bedford, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, November 23, 2015 in St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford. Burial followed in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 185 Lake St., Peabody, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Homes for our Troops https://www.hfotusa.org/.