Joseph E. Tardiff

FITZWILLIAM, N.H. - Joseph E. Tardiff, 86, of 98 Rhododendron Road, Fitzwilliam, died unexpectedly Sunday, November 26th at his residence. He was born in Fitchburg, MA. On March 14,1920, the son of George and Matte (Bouchard) Tardiff and had lived in Fitzwilliam for 58 years. Joe was Postmaster of the Fitzwilliam Post Office until his retirement in 1992. He was also a rural mail carrier, and had previously owned and operated Plante's Store in Fitzwilliam Depot for many years. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen from 1955 to 1961. A U.S. Army veteran of World War Two, he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, and the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon with a bronze service arrowhead. He was a life member and Past Commander of the Plante-Celslac Post #38 American Legion and the Little Monadnock Post #10289 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Gap Mountain Lions Club. Joe was a member of the Fitzwilliam Fire Department for nearly 60 years, and had been a Deputy Forest Fire Warden since 1957. He enjoyed sports, especially the Red Sox. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Ruth M. (Plante) Tardiff, currently a patient at the Good Shepherd Healthcare Center in Jaffrey. A Memorial Service will be held in April in the Fitzwilliam Community Church. Private burial will take place in Village Cemetery at a later date. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to the Fitzwilliam Fire Department Ambulance Fund, Care of Chief William N. Prigge, P.O. Box 515, Fitzwilliam, N.H. 03447. The Snow-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA. has been entrusted with arrangements. www.snow-ladeau.com