Joe Hardy, who started 84 Lumber and the Nemacolin Resort, has died. Hardy turned 100 years old, and his family told him he was going to die.
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph A. Hardy, III. The Hardy family lost their patriarch and all-around great man,” the family said in a statement. “Joe proved that nothing is impossible by willing himself to his 100th birthday. His family is beyond proud of him for making this final accomplishment.”
Hardy and his family grew 84 Lumber into one of the biggest businesses in the county. His daughter Maggie Hardy Knox is the owner and president of the company now.
Sadly I can confirm that Joe Hardy, on the day of his 100th birthday, has passed away. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Mr Hardy was military vet, a man with a vision and a man who put that vision into play benefiting thousands here in Western PA and beyond He will be GREATLY missed #RIPMrJoeHardy
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) January 7, 2023
Hardy told people at a tailgate party at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort on September 9, 2007, that he would not run for Fayette County commissioner in the general election that year. This was the end of his political career. In the 2007 primary for Fayette County commissioner, Hardy got the most votes and came in first.
During World War II, Hardy was a communications officer in the South Pacific for the US Army Air Corps. He got a degree in industrial engineering from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Engineering in 1948.
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He then worked at his uncle’s jewelry store in downtown Pittsburgh until he was 31 years old when he started his own business supplying building materials.
He was married to Dorothy for 50 years, and they had five children. Maggie, the youngest, is now the president of 84 Lumber. He has two children with his second wife, Debra.
Their names are Taylor and Paige. Hardy, who was 85 years old, married Kristin Georgi, who was 22 and worked at a salon at Nemacoln Woodlands Resort.
The wedding took place on May 5, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The couple had agreed to a pre-nuptial and wedding contract. Hardy filed for divorce on August 20, 2007, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason.
In 100 years of life, Joe Hardy accomplished SO much and it included contributions to GOLF. Nobody ever thought he could bring a #PGA Tour event to little Farmington PA, but he did. He built TWO Championships courses on Nemacolin Property and has supported @TriStatePGA pic.twitter.com/1wKiUWGguL
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) January 7, 2023
Rebecca Davis, 51, was Hardy’s fourth wife. He married her in December 2009. Hardy got married to Jodi Santella Williams on November 21, 2014. Together, they have a son named JJ Alexander Hardy.
Hardy has been on the Board of Trustees for both the University of Pittsburgh and Washington & Jefferson College. Hardy was said to have said, “I want to die broke. For the remainder of my life, I want to enjoy and participate in the giving of money to help improve people’s lives.”
Hardy died on his 100th birthday, January 7, 2023… Follow us only on Lee Daily for more news like this.
