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Jeffrey Hardy Obituary
Jeffrey P. Hardy was a musician from a musical family, but after he had been at it for a few years he decided to look for a better-paying career, and went to cooking school. After working at a number of New York City restaurants, he and his wife, Suzanne Gabriel, started a family, and he looked for a way to spend more time with them. Being a corporate chef was the answer, because someone who worked the breakfast and lunch shift could be home early.
For the last two years, Mr. Hardy, 46, was an executive chef at Cantor Fitzgerald, whose offices were high in the World Trade Center. On Sept. 11, as every day, he left his Brooklyn apartment before 5 a.m. to get to work cooking breakfast for bond traders.
"He had such tremendous energy," said Ms. Gabriel, a public relations executive. "He got up so early, and he was on his feet all day, but when he got home he was the one getting the kids to kick a soccer ball." Then, she added, he would cook dinner for the family.
At a party last year, he talked of the pleasures of watching his sons, Max, now 11, and Duncan, 7, grow while still having time to play the bass, which he did primarily in Greenwich Village, sometimes accompanying his brother, Jack Hardy, a singer-songwriter.
"If he knew I was talking to you," Ms. Gabriel told a reporter, "he would want me to mention that he was a huge Mets fan and that he had not given up on them this year."
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Virginia Martinez
September 11, 2024
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.your friend, Virginia we work together at Sodexo 750 third Ave NY NY 10017
John Matthews
September 11, 2023
Jeff was a classmate and close friend of mine at Pomfret. He was always fun to be around. He was good at sports, too. At the time my parents were living in Mexico, and Jeff came home with me once on Spring Break. We climbed Popocatépetl, an almost 18,000 foot volcano, and made it to the top (photo below). After high school I saw him a few times in Colorado but then moved overseas and lost track of him. I had no idea he was in the towers on that fateful day. Our class held our 50th high school reunion last May and we reminisced about our many pranks and good times. Jeff was a wonderful person and we miss him dearly.
John from Lyon, France
Stephanie Studebaker
September 13, 2021
Dearest Cousin Jeffrey,
I never got the chance to meet you and I am very saddened by this. I had the great fortune to get to play a song with your brother Jack at one of our Studebaker family reunions while he was still alive. It was one of the most amazing musical moments of my life, being a singer/songwriter myself. I just wanted to tell you, wherever you are, that you are greatly missed by those of us who know of you in our huge family. Sending love and hugs to yours, wherever they may be.
Floyd cordova
September 11, 2021
My heat breaks for each and every Human that lost there lives on 911. I wear a bracelet with Jeffrey Hardy WTC with his name is engraved on it as it was sold to me as a fundraiser for the families. I wear this bracelet to honor Jeffry Hardy on 9-11-2021
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Lisa Irizarry
September 13, 2020
It’s been a long time now since the World Trade Center attacks but I just learned this page was available. Every year when Sept. 11th comes it’s extra sad because I, like Lorens Holm, who also left his memories of Jeff on this page, went to the Dalton School and was in Jeffrey’s class. My name was Lisa Peterson then and I remember all of those guys that Lorens mentioned that Jeff sometimes hung out with. I’ll always remember Jeff as a super sweet boy who always smiled and spoke when you passed him in the hallway or saw him in class. It still hurts a lot when I think of what happened to such a lovely person.
Allyn
September 11, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are always with Jeffs family, especially his wife and children. I was friends with Jeff in the 1970s...he was a kind, quiet, talented man.
September 11, 2015
I was in Human Resources and remember Jeff, my deepest sympathies to those that knew him , loved him and worked with him. He always had a smile on his face!
September 20, 2011
Dear Hardy family.
I never met you, but my husband Monty Adams always had a laugh on his face when he spoke about Jeff! All those years at Pomfret and at Aspen. Not only did Monty consider Jeff to be one of his best friends, but the kindness of your family to Monty at Aspen will never be forgotten. Ten years later, he still laughs when talking about Jeff, but he immediately starts to cry. He has talked frequently to our son, Benjamin about how wonderful Jeff was. We were thrilled to see Max reading the names at the memorial service on the 10th anniversary. Monty said that Jeff would be terribly proud of his son today! I agree. You all live in Monty's heart and will NEVER be forgotten. Most sincerely, Phyllis Adams (Monty's wife of 33 years!) P.S. I hope to meet you someday - you meant so much to my husband!
Kristine
November 6, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
J W Ford
November 3, 2006
From one chef's family to another. May your friends and loved ones find peace today and in the years to come. God Bless you Jeff and may your cooking continue on up in heaven.
P Tabbernor
October 31, 2006
In remembrance....
Anne Rudder
February 18, 2003
Dear Jack and all your family.
I met Richard Berman this past weekend and he told me Jeff was gone on 9/11. It was a great shock to me. Jack, I can't express my sorrow adequately. I send my prayers to our Lord and His Most Perfect Mother to grant your brother eternal peace. May he be the guardian angel to you and your loved ones. Rest in Peace, Jeff Hardy.
With much love and respect,
Anne Rudder
New York, NY
A winter friend
December 21, 2002
Merry Christmas. We missed you during this year's first early snow when the phone didn't ring to announce your joy.
Art Toegemann
September 12, 2002
Dear Jeff,
We never met. I know of you thru your brother Jack, who I met as a singer songwriter. Many things have been said about 9/11. Jack's words in an article in the New York Times are the best, so good that I read them to my church.
It turns out I have a record on which you played. I love an acoustic bass.
My sincere regrets,
Art Toegemann
Joseph Palazzi
September 11, 2002
Jeff you were my boss and my teacher at Cantor for almost a year. I look back at those times when we were working our tail's off and smile because we still had time to talk about baseball or food or your kids. I laugh at the times we spent shivering in the freezer while taking inventory. You taught me lessons not only in the kitchen but in life and I'll never forget that. God bless you and your family Jeff.
Wild Bill Durkin
September 11, 2002
To The Hardy Family, ( especially to Jack)
Tonight, Sept 11th 2002, we'll be having a gig in Nashville called
" We Love New York " ( Songs about New York ).
As I act as host and MC, I'll be reading the Portraits of various people. Jeffrey's portrait will be read first.
I will then start the evenings music by singing " Meet The Mets ",
in his honor.
Please except my good wishes and prayers for you all on this day.
Sincerely,
Bill Durkin
Deborah Barnekow
September 10, 2002
Though I only knew about you, I wished I could have met you. Your dear parents whom I love and admire very much have been in my thoughts and heart just as you are since it was known that you were gone. I wish I could take away the sorrow your family feels at your loss or best of all, bring you back to your loved ones. But somehow I know you are playing music somewhere and if we all listen carefully, we can hear you, for you have touched so many people and given so much. Bless your heart and your family. Deborah Barnekow
Marquez Colby
September 9, 2002
hello, my name is Marquez, i live in Houston, Texas today in class we recieved wristbands with a name of a victim on it. I recieved your Jeffrey's name my depest condolences go out the family espicially the kids. I could never imagine looseing someone so deer to me. I hope that this upcomming 9-11 gives you a much more spiritual fullfillment and are able to coupe with your loss. Jeffrey P. Hardy will be in my prayers this september 11th.
Penny Trujillo
July 23, 2002
It's been nearly a year since that horrible day, and it's taken me that long to come to terms with the senseless slaughter, and particularly the loss of Jeff Hardy, who I knew back in my Greenwich Village days of the late 70's/early '80s. I saw him perform countless times around the Village in his brother Jack's band, and although Jack was the "star," anyone who truly listened knew that Jeff's contribution was singular and vital and oh so beatiful. When he played that bass and sang harmony with his brother (in the "Leenhaunshee" in particular -- sorry for the spelling), tears would come to my eyes. There was a line from that song, "When she fades from the stage, we hear her call," and at that very moment, Jeff would do something with that bass that was so creative and so poignant -- he would sort of extend the big bass tone and then fade out, and when he did that, I felt myself bathed in moonlight. And so there is now, up there, with the gods and goddesses, lighting up the sky. I miss him.
Penny Trujillo
Just an anonymous fan
Barbara (old co-worker)
February 6, 2002
I just wanted to say that I am very sorry to hear of Jeff's passing.
I worked on the same floor as Jeff for many years at an Ad agency in Manhattan. Not only was he a wondeful Chef but a wonderful person who truly loved his family.
I remember when his first son was born and how proud he was. Jeff was so down to earth, and just so very nice. He was famous at work for his chocolate chip cookies and brownies. I remember, after corporate meetings, many employees would all sneak into the conference rooms to have those delicious treats. He know how much I liked them and even made extra, it's those tiny memories that mean so much now.
Thank you Jeff....
January 31, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL YOUNG MAN JEFFREY P.HARDY.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF BROKLYN...MAY HE BE IN THE ORCHESTRA IN HEAVEN AND MAY JESUS MEET HIM AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN.MAY
WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01.AMEN
January 31, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL YOUNG MAN JEFFREY P.HARDY.MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF BROKLYN...MAY HE BE IN THE ORCHESTRA IN HEAVEN AND MAY JESUS MEET HIM AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN.AMEN
Patty Duong
January 16, 2002
Because I don't know anyone that was lost at the WTC I searched by surname and came up with only one Hardy.
I also am a Hardy with ancestors from New York. So I'm sending you prayers from a cousin you might never know.
It will be a long time before yoou heall from the loss of Jeff but I do know you will get better. And you will never forget.
Sincerely yours.
Patty Hardy Duong
Teresa Jahn
December 30, 2001
We are very sorry for your loss of Jeffrey. May his life and love (and his following as a Mets fan) live on in those who love him. Our hearts cry with you in your loss of Jeffrey.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Lorens Holm
December 17, 2001
Kevin called to tell me that he had read in the Times that an old school friend of ours, Jeff Hardy, had perished in the collapse of the World Trade Towers. When we were kids, we were all at the Dalton School together, me, Jeff, Kevin Mathewson, Ethan Dufault, Courtney Wilson, Tony Kahan, Jaycee Brown, Geoffrey Lawrence, and others. We all were part of a loose group. Once in a while, we got into mild bits of trouble together in the school corridors. We were on the Middle School soccor team. I stayed in touch mostly with Kevin and Ethan. Courtney died of AIDs. Kevin said he last saw Jeff sometime in the 1980’s. They had both been gigging musicians, and their respective tours crossed paths. I last saw Jeff in 1969, when I left Dalton age 14 to go to the High School of Music and Art. That’s a long time ago. Sometimes it’s the little things that come out of the past that hurt most. I was deeply deeply saddened to hear that Jeff had been killed, and I wanted to give some small testament to our childhood, his childhood such as I knew it and remembered it.
To his family, to his sons who are now the age when we all knew each other,
Lorens Holm
London, UK
11 December 2001
[email protected]
Justin Kodner
December 14, 2001
Please allow me to add this entry on behalf of the Princeton Folk Music Society. We are always grateful to the men and women who play and sing for us and whom we can never repay for what they do for our spirits. Jeff was a part of that community. It's too late to thank him now, but we want the world to know we are grateful.
Jeff Hardy and Willie Nininger October 1986
Willie Nininger
December 9, 2001
In Memorium: Jeff Hardy (1955 - 2001)
On the morning of September 11th, 2001 (another day which will live in infamy), my good friend Jeff Hardy said goodbye to his wife and two sons and left his house in Brooklyn for his job as a kitchen chef on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. None of them knew it would for the last time.
I met Jeff in 1976 when I moved back to New York City. I saw him often in Folk City where he played upright bass with his brother Jack and pretty much anybody else in Greenwich Village who asked him. We soon became frequent companions, playing softball, going to Shea Stadium to root for the New York Mets, and eventually, playing music together.
In the next ten years, we travelled thousands of miles together (mostly with Jeff driving) and played hundreds of gigs from Gambier, Ohio, all through Virginia and of course, New York City (especially at the Lone Star Cafe). My father Eugene, my brother Jim, my sister Ann, and even my mother Fern, often were a part of these voyages and concerts. Jeff was an excellent driver and bass player. He often delighted in how inconvenient it was to fit his bass into our van - and he would never let anybody else carry it (the bass).
Jeff was a frequent visitor to our house in Briarcliff Manor, New York, and later, Greenport, New York. With the happy permission of my mother, he would often take over the kitchen and prepare wonderful meals for us.
Jeff and I both loved the New York Mets, whether they were successful or not. We had matching Mets jackets (Jeff gave me mine for my birthday) and often referred to ourselves as the "Mets Brothers". In 1986, we even sent out Holiday cards together. (Between Season's Greetings). We went to too many games together and had a vague plan that someday (when we were older), we would share an apartment near the stadium. Jeff often telephoned me with the opening line: "You don't care about the Mets".
In 1987, I was very honored when he asked me to be best man for his wedding to the lovely and charming Suzanne. I still have the flask he gave me with my initials and the date engraved on it.
The second-to-last time I saw Jeff was on Wall Street in a bar a few months ago. We had a couple of drinks, caught up on family news, singer-songwriter gossip, and of course, talked about the Mets. The last time I saw Jeff was at my mother's memorial service on May 20th. On that day, he gave me a baseball autographed by Keith Hernandez.
The first airplane entered the building pretty close to where Jeff was working. Of course he was there because he was never late for work. His wife Suzanne told me she believes he was gone quickly.. She doesn't expect anyone will find.
I still can't sum up my emotions, but I can say Jeff was a good person and a loyal friend. He was a positive influence on this universe and I will miss him with all my heart.
Adress: Hardy Family, 18 8th Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217 phone: (718) 638 - 9646
Willie Nininger, Zurich Airport, September 18th, 2001
Dacia Daniels
December 5, 2001
Suzanne, I wanted to sign the book so I could let everyone know what an incredible woman you are! (We were close college friends at Marietta.) While I never met Jeff, I know that any man you chose as your partner in life had to be as amazing as you are! Bubbling, smiling, intelligent, and oh-hhh, that sense of humor! I feel that I knew Jeff through you. My heart will never stop feeling your pain and loss, and my soul will always pray for you and the boys. You are a gift to all of us! When you look up to the stars (can you see them in Brooklyn anymore?)...Jeff is smiling down. God bless always! Love, Dacia
Nicole Pacheco
December 5, 2001
HI. My name is Nicole. I am 16 years old and I go to Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale in Florida. At my church this past weekend they told the congregation about mercy bands and my parents decided to get me one. When I opened the box the name read Jeffrey Hardy, WTC. As my mother told me what the band was meant for, I felt that I had just become apart of Jeff and his family because I was going to pray for his family for the rest of my life. I felt honored to know that I could be apart of a blessing like this. I read the little article on Jeff and I got the chance to learn about the man who is on my right wrist. It turns out that I am a musician as well. I play the violin and my dog's name just so happens to be Max. :0) I knew that the Lord has placed this certain band in my mother's hand for a reason. To know that Jeffrey and I had somethings in common was so very God and I felt privelged. If Suzanne you are reading this I would like you to know that your husband's band hat I am wearing will NEVER come off. For the rest of my life I will pray for you and Max and Duncan. You all should have the very best and I pray that someday we will meet and talk. Now I knowt that I don't know Jeff, but you, your family and Jeff are now apart of me because I pray for you everyday. Anyone who I pray for is apart of me whether I know them or not. Thank you for hearing what I needed to say and may the Lord Bless You and Keep You Safe! :0) Love, Nicole Pacheco, 16
Brian Bradley
November 11, 2001
Dear Suzanne, I only learned of Jeff's passing today, (11/11). I am very sorry for your terrible loss. Jeff was a great Mets fan. I remember him keeping the faith in '85 long after I gave up. I loved Jeff's sense of humor. We both
believed that if something wasn't funny at first, it could become funny if repeated ad nauseum. I used to call Jeff on opening day and whenever there was severe weather. We'd repeat the same stupid old jokes as if it was the first time we'd speak them. I'll always think of Jeff during the first snowfall of the season, a stupid routine that will be missed.
God bless you, Max and Duncan, I hope you are able to find peace in your lives. - Brian
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