…retired from AVCO/Textron; 92
TEWKSBURY - Francis L. Hardy, age 92, a long time Medford resident, died peacefully on Sunday, April 6, at the Blaire House of Tewksbury, after a courageous five year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He was the beloved husband for sixty years of Alice (Hughes) Hardy, who died in 2003.
He was born in Medford, December 13, 1921, and was the last survivor of ten children of the late William and Elizabeth (Wilson) Hardy. He graduated from Medford High School where he was inducted into the Mustang Hall of Fame for his left handed pitching skills in the Baseball program and again inducted in to the Hall of Fame for his Football talent. He matriculated to Dean Academy, but interrupted his college career to enlist into the Army Air Corps. He served in the Pacific Theater, and was awaiting assignment while stationed aboard a transport ship in Japanese waters near to and when one of the Atomic Bombs was dropped. Upon his honorable discharge, he resumed his college career at Providence College.
His work career was as a Financial Analyst with AVCO/Textron in Wilmington.
He enjoyed travel with his wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, throughout New England, Myrtle Beach, and Florida.
He was a devout Catholic Layman, and was a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Medford. After his wife passed, he moved to Tewksbury where he was a resident of Emerald Court.
He was fondly remembered as having devoted his life to his God, Country and family.
He leaves his daughter, Jean Olsen of Tewksbury, a son, Robert Hardy of Lawrence, two grandchildren, Sharon Olsen of Tewksbury and Scott Olsen and his wife Hilary (Strapko) Olsen of Andover; four great grandchildren, Nicholas, Joshua, Eli, and Lilia; and was predeceased by his siblings, Joseph, Lawrence, William, John, Lillian, Edna, Doris, Kay, and Lorraine.
Relatives and friends will be received Wednesday morning, April 9, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home His Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte 38) Tewksbury. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford. For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of MA and NH, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02472 or visit www.alz.org