Thomas Joseph Hardiman, age 59, of 19-B New London Turnpike, North Stonington, and owner of Colonial Tire Co. of Mystic, died Thursday evening at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital after being stricken at his business.
Tom was born in Providence on July 11, 1946 the son of Thomas and Olive Hardiman. He was married to JoAnn (Sebastianelli) Hardiman on August 14, 1965. She died November 10, 1992.
He founded Tom’s Exxon on Route 1 in Groton in 1972, and in 1977, became owner and operator of Colonial Tire on Rte. 184.
He was founder of the daily Colonial Tire Coffee Club, and was known as a classic car enthusiast and NASCAR fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family and recently enjoyed cruise ship travels.
Tom is survived by his daughters, Fonda A. Bell and her husband Chris of Ledyard, and Diane M. Gagnon, all of Ledyard; his sisters, Tillie Martin of Westerly and Kim Schmidtt of Lisbon; half-brothers Michael & John Hardiman and half-sister, Rosemary Hardiman, all of R.I.; his fiancee’, Donna Williams of Stonington; his grandchildren, Delaney & Drew Gagnon, Krystal & Robert Coates and Christopher Bell, nieces and nephews.
His family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Monday from 5-8pm. A Funeral Service will be conducted at the Old Mystic Baptist Church on Tuesday at 11am. Burial in Elm Grove Cemetery.
Donations in his memory may be made to the CT Children’s Medical Center (formerly the Newington Children’s Hospital), where Tom spent four childhood years as a patient, 181 E. Cedar Street, Newington CT 06111.
To send a message of condolence/remembrance to Tom's family, please click the link below.