Vincent Hardy

Hardy, Vincent L.
Vincent L. Hardy, age 96 of Stratford, Connecticut passed away peacefully on Monday, November 21, 2016 at his home. Many knew him by his nicknames of Vinny or Vin. He was the beloved husband of 74 years to his devoted wife, the former Mary T. Bednarsky Reyes. Born in Manchester, New Hampshire on November 23, 1919 he was a son of the late Charles R. and Sarah George Hardy, both of Hooksett, New Hampshire.
As a boy he was an avid skier and as his interest increased he organized the Campbell Mountain Outing Club of Hooksett, whose members built and improved ski trails and built a club meeting house on the mountain summit.
He was a graduate of Manchester NH Central High School. After graduation he joined the National Youth Administration program and spent his time primarily in the building of an entire ski area at Lincoln, New Hampshire including ski slopes, a lodge, a ski lift, a toboggan chute and skating rink. Later with that same organization, he attended the University of New Hampshire with a course of study in Metallurgy.
Moving to Stratford, CT in 1940, he was employed as a tool and die maker and later, an engineer at Sikorsky Aircraft, involved in the building first of airplanes and then helicopters for a total of 44 years. In 1944 he took a leave of absence from Sikorsky to join the US Army, was trained in anti-aircraft gunnery and served in Europe in the last year of World War II. After the war he returned to Stratford, rejoining Sikorsky and retiring in 1985.
A highlight of his life as an engineer was that he was involved in the manufacture of a particular Sikorsky VS44A Flying Boat Excambian in the early 1940's. The same aircraft was lovingly restored at the Stratford airport by him and 11 other original Sikorsky employees during the time period of 1988 to 1998, the aircraft now being on display at the New England Air Museum at Hartford, CT. He was also active in his basement workshop, involved in projects for himself, friends and family. He would tell people that he could work in his workshop any time, even in his pajamas if he wanted.
After his retirement, Vin was the handyman at Sterling House in Stratford, making repairs and improvements around the mansion and constructing props and sets for plays. He participated extensively within the Stratford community. He was an Honorary Member of the VFW and was commended by them in 1985 for acting for years as flag tender for the flagpole at Academy Hill. He served on the Sterling House council, was Past President of the Stratford Historical Society and was a valued member of several other community service committees. Vincent was very active with the Stratford United Methodist Church where he was the Superintendent of Sunday School for 20 years, a member of the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Pastoral Committee and several other committees in the church.
He is survived by his wife Mary T. Hardy of Stratford, Connecticut, a brother Charles F. Hardy of Sandy Springs, Georgia and a brother Everett R. Hardy of Hooksett, New Hampshire.
He is survived by nieces Marilyn Morse Pelletier of Hooksett, NH; Pauline Howe Swatzsburg of Reno, NV; Lisa Hardy Chronis of Pembroke, NH and Cara Hardy Cote of Chichester, NH. He is survived by nephews Thomas Morse of Candia, NH; David Morse of Candia, NH; Richard Hardy of Atlanta, GA; Jonathan Hardy of Pembroke, NH; Thomas Hardy of Pembroke, NH; Bruce Hardy of Manchester, NH; Russell Hardy of Candia, NH and Mark Hardy of Candia, NH. .
He was predeceased by a sister Cora Hardy Morse of Candia, New Hampshire, a sister Evelyn Hardy Howe of Reno, Nevada and a brother Elliot F. Hardy of Candia, New Hampshire.
A memorial service for him will be held at 11: 00 AM on Saturday December 3, 2016 at the Stratford United Methodist Church at 2600 Main Street. Vincent will be interred in a niche located at the cemetery of The First Congregational Church of Stratford.
Arrangements are by Dennis-D'Arcy-Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home of Main Street, Stratford, CT. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the American Heart Association. To offer online condolences please visit ww.dennisanddarcy.com