[ad_1]
Business mogul and philanthropist Joe Hardy III transformed a small cash-and-carry sawmill business in Eighty-Four, Washington County into the largest privately held building materials supplier in the United States. He died on Saturday, his 100th birthday.
Hardy, who founded 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Fayette County, was remembered by his family as a brilliant businessman and entrepreneur who cared about family and people.
A statement issued by the company on behalf of the family said, “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Joseph A. Hardy III. The Hardy family has lost a patriarchal and all-around great man. Many people describe Joe as a brilliant businessman and a dedicated entrepreneur. His family is proud of him for accomplishing this final feat.
Hardy was born in Upper St. Clair in 1923 during the Great Depression.
He served as a radioman in the Army Air Corps during World War II, then sold vegetables and worked at his father’s jewelry store, Hardy & Hayes, while earning an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh. .
Hardy opened Green Hills Lumber when he was 31. In 1956, Hardy, his brother, and some partners opened his first 84 lumber shop, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West He sold to Virginia home builders.
Hardy spent decades growing the company, opening new stores across America using a “no-frills” model. There are now nearly 250 of her stores in 31 states.
In 1985, Hardy’s success landed him on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in the country, and in 1987, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Venture magazine.
That same year, Hardy purchased a 2,000-acre resort and hotel complex in Laurel Highlands and developed it into Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. The resort has a historic hotel, spa, five-star Lautrec restaurant, extensive art collections, and Mystic. Outdoor activities such as rock golf courses, zoos and fly fishing.
In 1992, Hardy turned over control of the business to his daughter, Maggie Hardy Knox. The relentless businessman remained involved with the company and pursued other ventures, establishing Hardy World, LLC, a real estate developer, in 2017.
In 2004, Hardy was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Washington County Community Foundation. In an interview with The Observer Reporter that year, he said, “My philosophy is to break and die.”
He is a community and community advocate, donating millions of dollars to charities, universities, hospitals and organizations, and pouring millions into Uniontown revitalization projects.
WCCF President and CEO Betsy Trieu said: “His heart was for veterans, depressed people, and those trying to make their lives better, and the community-minded.” Investing in communities and each of those communities getting better.There is a long list of charities that have benefited greatly from Joe’s generosity over the years.”
Hardy was elected to the Fayette County Commission, donated $46,000 of his salary to food banks, and served as Vice Chairman from 2004-2007.
Fayette County Commissioner Dave Lohr acknowledged Hardy’s impact on the community, including providing significant funding for the Joseph A. Hardy Connellsville Airport, and noted Hardy’s contributions to the veterans’ cause.
“He always had a good heart for the community, and it showed in everything he gave,” says Lohr. “Any donation he makes is one thing. Economically and tourism-wise, Nemacolin contributes to the enormous income and number of employees he employs. What he meant here As for what, you can go on forever.”
He is known for not cutting corners and doing things the right way. He was a sticker for that.
The sassy, cigar-chopping billionaire’s philosophy was that “nothing is impossible,” Washington County Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Cotula recalls a phrase Hardy often repeated. .
“There is no question that Mr. Hardy was a great man, but to achieve the level of success that he has achieved, you have to show confidence in your own worth and abilities and say, ‘What is the impossible? But I also found him to be a great person, caring about others and sharing his successes with our community. ‘s confidence has always impressed me, but his concern for others is what I admired about him.Cotula.
Laural Ziemba, director of public relations at Range Resources, learned from Hardy after college, working at Hardy’s King of the Hill Restaurants and his property management firm, A&F Real Estate. He said he has applied a lot of that to his personal work. and professional life.
“His over-the-top audience direction and unabashed tendency to review his performances furiously will scare anyone, let alone a child with little business experience.” I enjoyed every moment spent with him as he provided invaluable business and leadership advice as the BMW of Bentleyville made a right turn on Main Street in Bentleyville and approached his office,” said Ziemba. Told. “At the end of the day, Mr. Hardy was tough on you, not because he thought you couldn’t take it, but because he knew you could, and that grit was on his team. It will help you succeed throughout your career, whether it is or not.”
Hardy is survived by his wife Jodi, eight children, three stepchildren and 15 grandchildren.
[ad_2]
Source link
