Fredrick C. "Fred" Hardy

WINCHENDON – Fredrick C. “Fred” Hardy, 69, of 108 Hale Street, Winchendon, died Saturday in St. Vincent Hospital, Worcester.

Fred was born in Fitchburg on October 9, 1943, son of the late William T. and Doris (McPherson) Hardy and had lived in Winchendon for most of his life.  Fred was a graduate of Murdock High School and later served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal.

Fred was well known in Winchendon for his generosity, kindness and assistance to many organizations and causes in his capacity as owner of H&W Transportation and Fred’s School Bus.  Fred retired from H&W Transportation last year and was still working as owner of Fred’s School Bus.  Active in community affairs, Fred was a member of Eugene M. Connor Post 193 American Legion and Lt. Frederick Wilder Post 2158 VFW.  Before owning his transportation companies, Fred had owned a drywall business, a couple of restaurants, a taxi company, limosine company and a coffee shop.  Fred had a sharp business acumen and would buy houses, fix them up and later resell them.  As much as he enjoyed his work, Fred treasured time with his family and adored his granddaughter.

He leaves his wife of 39 years, Donna C. (Ketola) Hardy; a son, Fredrick C. Hardy Jr. of Winchendon, a daughter, Valerie D. Hardy and granddaughter, Alivia Giles of Leominster;a brother, William T. Hardy Jr of Hawaii; two sisters, Sally Caron of Baldwinville and Linda Nason of East Templeton and many nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.  A sister, Carol Rios, predeceased him.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 7, 2012 at 10 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.  The Rev. Kenneth Johnson will officiate.  Burial, with military honors, will follow in Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery.

Calling hours in the funeral home will be Sunday, January 6, 2012 from 6 to 8 P.M. with Legion Services at 7 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Winchendon Pre-K Special Education, 32 Elmwood Road, Winchendon, MA 01475 or to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Dublin Road, Peterborough, NH 03458.

www.stone-ladeau.com

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