Joe Hardy Obituary, Death – Joseph A. Hardy III, founder of 84 Lumber and the Nemacolin resort, passed away on his 100th birthday on Saturday, the vice president of marketing for 84 Lumber confirmed to Action News 4 in Pittsburgh. Hardy died at the age of 100. We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Joseph A. Hardy, III, and do so with a heavy heart. The father of the Hardy family and an outstanding individual in every way has passed away. Joe had a strong reputation among his peers as an astute businessperson and eager entrepreneur. Joe never lost sight of the fact that people are the most important thing, despite his enormous success.
He was instrumental in making the “American dream” a reality for a huge number of people, and he will be sorely missed. By wishing himself to his 100th birthday, Joe demonstrated that nothing is beyond the realm of possibility. His family is overjoyed that he has finally reached this significant milestone in his life. Upper St. Clair was where Hardy’s birth took place in 1923. According to the 84 Lumber website and a news release from Nemacolin, after serving as a lieutenant and an Air Forces radioman during World War II, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and then joined the jewelry company that his family owned.
Nemacolin was named in his honor. At the age of 31, he launched Green Hills Lumber in Bridgeville. Two years later, in 1956, he joined up with his two younger brothers to launch a cash-and-carry lumberyard in the rural village of Eighty Four. Professional homebuilders based in the region of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia were the primary customers served by the new 84 Lumberyard.
The millionaire is responsible for transforming 84 Lumber into one of the most successful privately held enterprises in the United States. In addition, Hardy was the founder of the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, which is located on a 2,000-acre site in Farmington. In addition to providing chances for fly-fishing and golf, the resort features a spa, an art collection, and a hotel.