John G. Hardner

John G. Hardner, 84, passed away July 23, 2021. He was born at home on Gridley Avenue, on October 29, 1936 the sixth of nine children to Rufus and Theresa (Trapp) Hardner.

He attended St. Joe's Elementary School and Erie Tech High School. He studied at Coyne Electrical School in Boston, received his B.S. in Education from Edinboro University and served in the Army. He took several more math courses at Colgate and SUNY Brockport.

He taught math for 32 years in Lyndonville, N.Y. where he met his wife Emily (nee Culbertson). He coached wrestling and baseball, was always willing to chaperone and transport students to various extracurricular activities and trips. He began the chess club and the local chapter of the National Honor Society.

He was active in many ways to help his fellow teachers. He represented them on the retirement committee, negotiated contracts, and was instrumental in the founding - and served on the board of - the Ontario Shores Federal Credit Union.

When John retired in 1994 he and Emily relocated to Key West, Fla. He finally got to play golf year round and won several tournaments. He knew how to have fun. He enjoyed people, history, theater, jazz and pinochle. He was kind to all and truly loved the life and community of Key West. He distributed the Miami Herald and Keynoter for McClatchy there for 18 years.

John was predeceased by his parents and four siblings: Lois (John Paradise), Jim, Jerry (Margaret Anne Churchley) and Tom as well as two sisters-in-law, Kay (Ken's wife) and Trish (Jeffrey's wife).

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Emily; daughter, Heidi (Bill Humphrey) and son, Sean; granddaughter, Meagan and her siblings, Jordyn and Ian Smith and their mother, Kate Hardner. He is also survived by four brothers, Ken, Tim (Andrea), Jeffrey, and Chris (Marsha) as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their children.

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