Roger J. Hardy, a former resident of Claremont and Port St. Lucie, FL, passed away peacefully Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Jensen Beach, FL. The son of Antonio and Marie (Maurais), Roger was born Oct. 20, 1923. Roger was predeceased by his wife, Rita (Lessard) Hardy, who passed away in 2016. They celebrated a loving and devoted 73 years of marriage. With the advent of World War II, Roger joined the Navy Seabees along with his four other brothers entering various departments of the Armed Forces. After the war, Roger and his brother, George, returned to Claremont and founded Hardy Brothers Builders, utilizing their experience garnered from their Seabee service. The firm prospered and went on to gain national recognition for their innovative construction methods and land use planning. Many local carpenters learned their trade working for the Hardy Brothers, with Roger as their mentor. One of Roger’s favorite projects was the restoration of the Old St. Mary’s Church in Claremont during the 1960s. He is survived by his three daughters, Sheila Satzow and her husband Michael of Claremont; Claire Carter of Worcester, MA; and Simone Johnson, also of Claremont. Grandchildren include Shawn Dixon and wife Kimberly of Meredith, NH; and Danielle Maryott and husband Andrew of Easton, CT; Roger Limoges and husband Jeffrey McDermott of Washington, DC; Nicole Freniere of Charlton, MA; and Shane Johnson of West Palm Beach, FL. There are several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sisters, Pauline Gendron of Manchester, NH; Dolores Blish of Claremont, and brother Charles Hardy of Naples, FL. Also, his brother-in-law, Rita’s twin brother, Raymond Lessard and his wife Nancy of Vero Beach, FL.
He was predeceased by his brothers, George, Rosaire and Paul, all of Claremont; and his sister, Antoinette Brown of Lebanon, NH. Services were held at the Fernhill Memorial Gardens in Stuart, FL. A U.S. Navy Honor Guard presented the family with a U.S. flag in honor of Roger’s service during World War II. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Claremont Fund, c/o The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, 37 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301.
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