84 Lumber and Nemacolin resort founder Joseph A. Hardy III died Saturday on his 100th birthday, 84 Lumber vice president of marketing Amy Smiley confirms to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. A statement from the family read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph A. Hardy, III. The Hardy family has lost its patriarch and an all-around great man. Joe was known by many as a brilliant businessman and avid entrepreneur. Even with his great success, Joe what he always remembered. Most importantly: the people. He helped make the American dream come true for so many, and he will be greatly missed. “Joe proved that nothing is impossible by pushing himself to his 100th birthday. His family is proud of him for this latest accomplishment.” Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair. After serving as a lieutenant and radioman in the Air Force during World War II, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh. 84 joined the family’s jewelry company, according to Lumber’s website and a Nemacolin news release. He opened Green Hills Lumber in Bridgeville at age 31, joining his two younger brothers in opening a cash-and-carry lumber mill in Eighty-Four Country Township. In 1956. The new 84 Lumberyard center served professional home builders located in the region covering Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The billionaire 84 Lumber grew to become one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Hardy also built the 2,000-person Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. -acre lot located in Farmington. The resort has a hotel, art collection and spa, as well as fly-fishing and golfing opportunities. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Mike Valente spoke with people in Farmington on Saturday. Derek Bolish, executive chef at a restaurant called Braddock’s, talked about what it was like working for Hardy at Nemacolin. “Joe was a really good guy,” Bolish said. “He always had a big cigar sticking out of his mouth and he always said, ‘How are you?’ like all of us,” Ringer said. “He would come out to local places to eat, you know, take his kids.” Hardy also turned over management of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to his daughter, Maggie Hardy, in 1992. Hardy also 2004 -Served as Vice Chairman of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners in 2007. Hardy is survived by three step-sons, his second wife, as well as his current wife, according to Beinhauer Funeral Home. Family and friends will receive Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. a and are being received at Beinhauer Funeral Home in McMurray on Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 p.m.A public service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, followed by full military honors Non-family members are encouraged to donate to Habitat for Humanity or The Pennsylvania Classic Foundation on my behalf.
84 Lumber and Nemacolin resort founder Joseph A. Hardy III died Saturday on his 100th birthday, 84 Lumber vice president of marketing Amy Smiley confirms to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
A statement from the family reads:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph A. Hardy III. The Hardy family has lost its patriarch and an all-around great man. Joe was known by many as a brilliant businessman and driven entrepreneur. Even with his great success, Joe always remembered what mattered most: people. He helped make the American dream come true for so many and he will be sorely missed.
“Joe has proven that nothing is impossible by making it to his 100th birthday. His family is proud of him for this latest achievement.”
Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair. After serving as a lieutenant and radioman in the Air Force during World War II, he earned an engineering degree at the University of Pittsburgh and joined the family’s jewelry company, according to the 84 Lumber website and a Nemacolin news release.
He opened Green Hills Lumber in Bridgeville at the age of 31 before joining his two younger brothers in 1956 to open a cash and shipping plant in the rural town of Eighty-Four. The new 84 Lumberyard served professional home builders centered in the region covering Pennsylvania, Ohio. and West Virginia. The billionaire turned 84 Lumber into one of the largest private companies in the United States.
Hardy also founded the 2,000-acre Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington. The resort has a hotel, art collection and spa, as well as fly-fishing and golfing opportunities.
Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 reporter Mike Valente spoke with people in Farmington on Saturday. Derek Bolish, executive chef at a restaurant called Braddock’s, talked about what it was like working for Hardy at Nemacolin.
“Joe was a really good guy,” Bolish said. “He always had a big cigar sticking out of his mouth and he always said, ‘How are you?’
Like Bolish, Donnie Ringer described Hardy as “a real smart guy.”
“He lived like all of us,” Ringer said. “He used to come to local places to eat, you know, pick up his kids.”
Hardy turned over management of both 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to his daughter Maggie Hardy in 1992.
Hardy also served as Vice Chair of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners from 2004-2007.
Hardy is survived by three stepsons, his second wife and his current wife, according to Beinhauer Funeral Home.
Family and friends will receive Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m., and Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., Beinhauer at McMurray They are being received at the Funeral Home. A public service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, followed by full military honors.
Non-family members are encouraged to donate to Habitat for Humanity or The Pennsylvania Classic Foundation on my behalf.