HARDY, Raymond P., 84, March 31, 2014. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Houlton.
Raymond Phillip Hardy, 84, born December 5, 1928, in Dearborn, MI, was called home to his Lord and Savior on March 31, 2014, at Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville, GA. He was the son of the late Alfred Seldon Hardy and Irene Sarah Vail. He is also predeceased by his half-brother Seldon A Hardy.
Ray graduated from Houlton High School where he met his wife, Dolores Ann Smith. They met when she was 13 and he was 15 and have been inseparable for 70 years. Growing up, Ray worked picking potatoes and on the farm milking cows while playing in several sport activities in school. He went into the Army after high school and was stationed in France. After marrying Dolores, Ray worked at Tingley’s Bakery and five of their seven children were born in Houlton. They moved to Denver where Ray worked at Martin Marietta as a fireman. At age 38, he underwent the first open-heart bypass surgery done in Denver, CO, by the late Dr. Grow. He then went to work for Regis University as the grounds keeper, and later owned his own sweeping business until his retirement. At the age of 70, he again underwent two different heart-bypass surgeries and did extremely well after the third surgery.
Ray enjoyed a number of hobbies which included: fishing, golfing, gardening, stained glass design, oil painting, building and refinishing furniture, family genealogy, and needlepoint. He also enjoyed a spirited conversation on politics.
The last year he had some medical problems but this sudden passing took our breath away.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores, and seven children: Kurt (Anita), Kevin, Helen (Gary) Messer, Kim (fiancé John Crowe), Kerry (Ricky) Alvarado, Christy (Rob) Elson and Heather Hayes. Ray was also survived by nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
He was loved by all who met him, and was a very loving and devoted husband and father.
Ray was cremated and no funeral service is planned at this time. When Dolores is called home, there will be a double funeral and their burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Houlton.
