Jon H. Hardie

1942 - 2025

Jon H. Hardie

ROYALSTON, MA - Jon Harold Hardie passed away peacefully at his beloved home, a home he hand-built with friends, family, and neighbors 24 years ago. Jon loved things of beauty; he apprenticed himself to a traditional guide canoe builder in Maine, meticulously building a canvas and cedar canoe. His future wife once quipped upon hearing his amazing life tales that if he proposed to her on Tully Lake in this very canoe, she would marry him. He did.

Despite a traumatic childhood marked by the tragic, violent deaths of his parents, Jon dedicated his life to overcoming adversity through creative endeavors, community service, and compassionate work. He credited his high school biology teacher with saving his life by seeing his potential.

Jon's brilliant mind and photographic memory propelled him through diverse careers. He learned salesmanship, survival skills, photography, and a love of reading from his father, and persistence and dedication from his mother. An influential early period was his time as an AMC hut boy in the White Mountains, hauling supplies between huts.

His education included undergraduate work in Biology and Sociology from Shimer College and a Psychology degree from SUNY Albany. His graduate work was interrupted by alternative service as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. He also attended Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge.

Jon was an innovator, working on DNA research at Woods Hole with Dr. Hidemi Sato. While at Lexington Instruments, he developed a pioneering direct blood oxygen measurement system using fuel cell technology, later used in hospitals globally. As Project Director for the Rockland Senior Nutrition Program, he built a county-wide network of nutrition programs. He and others successfully sued President Nixon to release $750 million in block grants.

In the 1980s, Jon directed Elder Affairs in Salem, MA. He later chaired MicroDirect, negotiating Samsung Computers' entry into the U.S. market. His work in solar projects in New Mexico, developing solar well pump systems for Native American reservations, earned industry recognition. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and, in Maine, provided IT technical services to non-profits as a Circuit Rider. In Royalston, MA, Jon served as the town's volunteer IT director, giving thousands of hours of support "24/7". He also launched a pilot wireless network, providing years of internet services to the south village area until a viable commercial option became available. Jon was especially proud of his son Brad, when he achieved his dream job as a member of the New York City Fire Department. He was equally proud of his Marine son Scott. Jon leaves behind the love of his life, wife Rebecca Krause-Hardie; his sons Brad (and Megan) and Scott (and Rebecca); and beloved grandchildren: Gunner, Cullen, Talia, Aeden, and Mason. He is also survived by his "best boy" Kala Dog.

He would encourage donations to the Royalston Fire and EMS Association, Life Path, or any other organization that holds caring, compassion, and loving kindness at their core.

Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM