The founder of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Resort, Joseph A. Hardy III on Saturday on his 100th birthday, 84 Lumber’s vice president of marketing, Amy Smiley, confirmed to Action News 4 in Pittsburgh. It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph A. Hardy, iii. The Hardy family has lost its patriarch and great man. Many knew Joe as a brilliant businessman and enthusiastic entrepreneur. Even with his massive success, Joe has 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 nothing is impossible by getting ready to celebrate his 100th birthday. Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair. After serving as a lieutenant and radio operator in the Air Force during World War II, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and joined the family jewelry business, according to the 84 Lumber website and Nemacolin press release. He opened Green Hills Lumber in Bridgeville at age 31 before joining his two younger brothers to open cash-and-lumber in the rural town of 84 Lumber in 1956. The new 84 Lumberyard served professional homebuilders centered in the area spanning Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The billionaire has grown 84 Lumber into one of the largest private companies in the United States. Hardy also founded Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a 2,000-acre site located in Farmington. The resort includes a hotel, art collection, and spa, as well as fishing and golfing opportunities. units. Action News 4’s Pittsburgh correspondent Mike Valiente spoke with the folks in Farmington on Saturday. At a restaurant called Braddock, head chef Derek Polish recounted what it was like working for Hardy at Nemacullin. Watch Mike’s interviews with Farmington residents in the video above. “Joe was a really good guy,” Polish said. “He always had a big cigar hanging from his mouth and he would always say, ‘How the hell are you? Like Polish, Donnie Ringer described Hardy as “a real down-to-earth guy”. “He just lived. He would go out to the local places to eat, you know, and take his kids.” Hardy handed over command of both 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to his daughter, Maggie Hardy, in 1992. Hardy also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Commissioners at Fayette County from 2004 to 2007. Hardy is survived by three sons, his second wife as well as his current wife, according to the Beinhauer Funeral Home website. Family and friends are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Wednesday at the Beinhauer Funeral Home in McMurray A public service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church followed by full military honors Individuals outside the family 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 passed away Saturday on his 100th birthday, 84 Lumber vice president of marketing Amy Smiley confirmed to Action News 4 in Pittsburgh.
The family statement reads:
“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Joseph A. Hardy, III. The Hardy family has lost its patriarch and great man. Many knew Joe as a brilliant businessman and enthusiastic entrepreneur. Even with his phenomenal success, Joe always remembered what mattered most: the people. He helped make the dream come true.” The American is a reality for many, and will be sorely missed.
“Jo proved that nothing is impossible by preparing for his 100th birthday. His family is extremely proud of him for achieving this ultimate milestone.”
Watch Ryan Recker’s report on Hardy’s life in the video above.
Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair. After serving as a lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and joined the family jewelry business, according to the 84 Lumber website and Nemacolin press release.
He opened the Green Hills Lumber Company in Bridgeville at age 31 before joining his two younger brothers to open a lumberyard in the rural town of Eighty Four in 1956. The new Lumberyard 84 served professional homebuilders stationed in an area spanning Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. The billionaire has grown 84 Lumber into one of the largest private companies in the United States.
Hardy also founded the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a 2,000-acre site located in Farmington. The resort includes a hotel, art collection, and spa, as well as fishing and golfing opportunities.
Action News 4’s Pittsburgh correspondent Mike Valiente spoke with the folks in Farmington on Saturday. At a restaurant called Braddock, head chef Derek Polish recounted what it was like working for Hardy at Nemacullin.
Watch Mike’s interviews with Farmington residents in the video above.
“Joe was a really good guy,” said Polish. “He always had a big cigar hanging from his mouth and he would always say, ‘How the hell are you? “
Like Polish, Donnie Ringer described Hardy as “a real, down-to-earth guy.”
“He lived like the rest of us,” Ringer said. “He would go out to the local places to eat, you know, and take his kids.”
Hardy handed over leadership of both 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort to his daughter, Maggie Hardy, in 1992.
Hardy also served as Vice Chairman of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners from 2004 to 2007.
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Hardy is survived by three children, his second wife as well as his current wife, according to the Beinhauer Funeral Home website.
Family and friends are welcome from 6-8pm on Tuesdays and from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on Wednesdays at the Beinhauer Funeral Home in McMurray. There will be a public service on Thursday at 11am at Westminster Presbyterian Church followed by full military honors.
Individuals outside of the family are encouraged to make donations in my name to Habitat for Humanity or the Pennsylvania Classic Foundation.
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