SOUTH PORTLAND- Thomas “Tom” C. Hardy, age 81 passed away peacefully on February 19, 2023, at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough.
Born in Portland, Maine, to Dr. Lowell M. Hardy and Barbara C. Hardy. Tom graduated from Deering High School in 1959 where he played Varsity football, was recognized, and awarded for his talent in Advertising and Graphic design. After graduation and an 8-month biking/hiking adventure in Ireland, France, England, Spain and Portugal, Tom enlisted with the US Air Force as a Russian Language Voice Intercept Specialist serving in the US and Germany. There he was the only airman in his unit to receive a promotion in rank, and was chosen out of 100+ fellow servicemen to sing a Russian solo at the USAF graduation.
Upon completion of his service, he earned a B.A. degree in English from the University of Maine in 1968 (also the year he started a family) where he was active in the student senate for 3 years being Mayor, Senior Class President, and Editor of the college yearbook. He went on to continue studies in photography, art, and graphic design and then later taught these subjects at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute.
Tom’s career was rooted by a love for art, design, communications, and photography. He took on roles such as Art and Executive Director, Graphic Designer, Publisher, and Editor. He worked with Lincoln Press, Gulf of Maine Aquarium and L.L. Bean. Some entrepreneurial endeavors were freelance photography, starting his own magazine and creating platforms to help other freelance design talent. His work with L.L. Bean spanned over 20 + years eventually retired and was loved and respected by his fellow colleagues.
Tom loved spending time with family and friends, bantering about politics, or any topic in which he could find a healthy debate. He would simply advise, he was not opinionated-merely “educated” with a witty smile. He was known for practicing his love for photography by taking candid photos of those he cared about as well as experimenting with abstract and landscape photography. His passion for music was expressed beautifully through his talent in singing and dancing. He also enjoyed biking, tennis, and any time spent on the ocean or lakes of Maine. When not working or spending time on his hobbies you would find him tackling home improvement and gardening projects.
He is predeceased by both parents and his brother, William L. Hardy. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberley Hardy and her fiancé’ Thomas Oliver of New Hampshire, and son, Alexander W. Hardy and his wife Shawn of Windham, Maine, his brother Richard K. Hardy and wife Margaret, of Framingham Massachusetts, and grandchildren Nicholas, Crystal and husband Ben, and great grandchildren Sophia, Sylvie, and Roman, all of New Hampshire.
Tom’s family would like to thank everyone at the Veterans Home in Scarborough who were truly exceptional throughout his final months. You became family to us, and he appreciated every single one of you.
Tom will be missed by all who knew him, for the kindness of his heart, wit, and sense of humor touched everyone he met. A celebration of Tom’s life will be held later this spring.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
- Celebrating the Lives of Veterans -