Joseph E.C. Tardif, Jr., 89, of Dartmouth, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026 at St. Luke's Hospital. He was the husband of Cynthia S. (Lawrence) Tardif, they married in Long Beach, CA and shared 64 years of marriage.
Mr. Tardif was born in New Bedford, son of the late Joseph E. C. Tardif, Sr. and the late Bertha M. (Jodoin) Tardif and had been a longtime resident of Dartmouth. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force as a corpsman. He was a 1954 graduate of St. Anthony High School, New Bedford. He then received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Seattle, ultimately attaining his Master's Degree from Middlebury College French Language School in Vermont. He went on to teach for many years at Andover High School and later at Tabor Academy until his retirement in 2000. Following retirement, he was a volunteer teacher at Rotch-Jones-Duff House in New Bedford where he taught beekeeping to the area students.
He was a beekeeper for 60 years, a passion he began in 1965. He was president of the Bristol County Beekeeper Association for 10 years and founded and ran Cedar Hill Apiaries. He was a member of Allen's Neck Friends Meeting and currently attending Apponagansett Friends Meeting.
Survivors along with his wife include his 3 children: Eric Tardif of Braintree, Annette Cantilli of Millbrook, NY and Nathan Tardif of Dartmouth; 2 sisters: the late Jacqueline Bernier of Dartmouth and Elaine Bernier of Hanson; 5 grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Calling hours to which relatives and friends are invited will be Friday, October 9, 2026 at Potter Funeral Home from 2-4 P.M.
Interment will be private.