George F. Hardy

George F. Hardy, age 91, of Maynard passed away peacefully with family on Saturday, October 7, 2023.  He was the loving husband of the late Carole L. (Whitney) Hardy for 68 years, marrying on May 15, 1955.  Carole and George met at the People’s theater in Maynard.  He caused such a commotion there, she had to promptly kick him out.  That was the beginning of their beautiful relationship and the foundation of a legacy. The roots of their family tree began with their four children.  David A. Hardy and wife Susan D. of Mohawk, NY; Steven W. Hardy and wife Claudette M. of Maynard, MA; Susan F. Purinton and husband Carl M. of Maynard, MA; Jane E. Hardy of Maynard, MA. Their grandchildren Melanie, Amanda, Steven, Aaron, Calvin, Erica, Isaac, Ethan, Whitney and Corey; and their great grandchildren, Destiny, Jayden, Makenzie, Steven, Ella, Oliver, Mariah, Leah, Sophia, Addison, Charlotte and Ezra.  George was predeceased by his siblings Richard Hardy, Walter Hardy, Charlotte Tracy, Jaqueline Flynn and Barbara Morris. 

George was born in Concord, Massachusetts on January 25, 1932, to the late George M. and Beulah H. (French) Hardy.  He was raised and educated in West Concord, lived on White Row and graduated in 1950 from Concord High School.

Upon graduation, George enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country from 1951 – 1955 during the Korean War.

Settling in Connecticut, George worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for 5 years.  They then returned to Maynard where he began his craftsmanship as a cabinet maker honing his skills with Richard Flynn Carpentry. He also worked for Acton Cabinet Company.  Throughout his career and during retirement he continued custom work.

For over twenty-eight years George worked as a Firefighter and EMT for the town of Maynard. He started as a Call Fireman in the early 60’s. George worked as a Firefighter from May 5, 1965 to July 19, 1993.  He is remembered to be “the first in the fire” exhibiting courage and bravery.

He was a member of the Maynard Lodge of Elks for forty-six years. He was a volunteer and during renovations and using his carpentry skills, made, and installed raised panel wanes coating, and many other projects during their renovations there. He was also a main contributor setting up and selling Christmas Trees for Charity.

Over the years, in addition to all the special handcrafted furniture and trinkets he created for his family and friends, he helped his children build their homes.  Family was most important to George.  He and Carole looked forward to their yearly vacations to Pennsylvania Dutch, Aruba and Wells, Maine.  He enjoyed playing cribbage and Dominos with family and friends. George had recently enjoyed his time spent on his son’s farm in upstate New York, especially playing hundreds of games of Go Fish with his great-grandchildren.  He loved the thrill of blazing trails in the woods with his grandsons in the gator.  He was able to explore nature in its splendor.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember George on Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Fowler-Kennedy Funeral Home, 42 Concord Street, Maynard. His Funeral Service will be celebrated on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Fowler-Kennedy Funeral Home, followed by burial at Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard. Immediately following, the family welcomes you to join them at a reception at the Maynard-Clinton Elks, 34 Powdermill Road, Maynard.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of George F. Hardy to the Maynard Fire Relief Association.