Joe Hardy, 84 Lumber, founder of Nemacolin, dies at age 100
84 Lumber and Nemacolin resort founder Joseph A. Hardy III died Saturday on his 100th birthday, 84 Lumber vice president of marketing Amy Smiley confirmed to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. A statement from the family said: “It is with heavy hearts announcing the passing of Joseph A. Hardy, III. The Hardy family lost their patriarch and all-round magnate. Many knew Joe as a brilliant businessman and enthusiastic entrepreneur. Even with his enormous success, Joe always remembered what matters most: people. He helped make the American dream a reality for so many and he will be sorely missed. “Joe proved that nothing is impossible by wishing for his 1[ads1]00th birthday. His family is incredibly proud of him for accomplishing this latest feat.”Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair. After serving as a lieutenant and Air Force radioman during World War II, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and joined his 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 with his two younger brothers to open a lumber yard in the rural town of Eighty Four in 1956. The new 84 Lumberyard served professional home builders centered around the region covering Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The billionaire grew 84 Lumber into one of the largest privately held companies in the United States. Hardy also founded the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a 2,000-acre site in Farmington. The resort has a hotel, art collection and spa, as well as fly fishing and golfing opportunities. Hardy turned over management of both 84 Lumber and Ne macolin Woodlands Resort to his daughter Maggie Hardy in 1992. Hardy also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Fayette County Commissioners from 2004 to 2007. Hardy is survived by three stepsons, his second wife as well as his current wife, according to Beinhauer Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Beinhauer Funeral Home in McMurray. A public service will be held on Thursday at 11am at Westminster Presbyterian Church followed by full military honours. Non-family members are encouraged to make donations in my name to Habitat for Humanity or The Pennsylvania Classic Foundation.
84 Lumber and Nemacolin resort founder Joseph A. Hardy III died Saturday on his 100th birthday, 84 Lumber vice president of marketing Amy Smiley confirmed to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4.
A statement from the family said the following:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph A. Hardy, III. The Hardy family has lost its patriarch and all-around great man. Many knew Joe as a brilliant businessman and enthusiastic entrepreneur. Even with his enormous success, Joe always remembered what meant most: people.He helped make the American dream a reality for so many and he will be sorely missed.
“Joe proved that nothing is impossible by wishing for his 100th birthday. His family is incredibly proud of him for this latest achievement.”
Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair. After serving as a lieutenant and Air Force radioman during World War II, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and joined his 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 with his two younger brothers to open a lumber yard in the rural town of Eighty Four in 1956. The new 84 Lumberyard served professional home builders centered around the region covering Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The billionaire grew 84 Lumber into one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.
Hardy also founded the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a 2,000-acre resort located in Farmington. The resort boasts a hotel, art collection and spa as well as fly fishing and golfing opportunities.
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 Board of Fayette County Commissioners from 2004 to 2007.
Hardy is survived by three stepsons, his second wife as well as his current wife, according to Beinhauer Funeral Home.
Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Beinhauer Funeral Home in McMurray. A public service will be held on Thursday at 11am at Westminster Presbyterian Church followed by full military honours.
Non-family members are encouraged to make donations in my name to Habitat for Humanity or The Pennsylvania Classic Foundation.
