David Woodman Hardy

Mr. David Woodman Hardy, of New London, New Hampshire, formerly of Waltham, died June 7, 2008 from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the New London Hospital. Beloved husband, father, and friend, he was born May 18, 1924 in Boston, the son of James E. Hardy and Winifred Woodman Hardy. He grew up in Quincy and graduated from Thayer Academy in 1941 as president of his class, president of the student council and as managing editor of the yearbook. In September 1941 he entered Harvard College and immediately signed up for the Naval R.O.T.C. When war arrived the N.R.O.T.C. courses were accelerated and he was commissioned in the U.S.N.R. He was assigned to naval mine warfare and sent to Pearl Harbor to join the USS Competent. The ship did both minesweeping and escort duty. Missions included the invasion of Palau and the Okinawa operation. Minesweeping duties covered the East China Sea and after the close of the war, the ship's group swept the entrance to the Yangtze River before moving to Japan for more coastal sweeping. The Competent arrived in San Francisco in April 1946, after towing a smaller minesweeper from Pearl Harbor. Mr. Hardy was ordered to Boston, where he was released to inactive duty. He returned and completed his degree requirements. After a brief naval reserve cruise he began work at Eastern Air Lines. At Eastern he met Joyce Hitchcock, his wife to be. They were married in September 1950 and left for a year in the wool business, based in Buenos Aires. On their return they settled in Waltham and found that the wool business was deteriorating with the advent of synthetic fabrics. Mr. Hardy then spent several years with a developing polymer chemical company. Finally, in 1960, he entered the field of education. He worked at the laboratory school of, then, Lesley College. He also was director of the Cambridge School of Weston Summer Day Camp. In the mid-sixties he joined the faculty at Cambridge School and served several years as headmaster. The turmoil of the early 70's found him teaching in the Wellesley Public School System. At Wellesley he was president of the Wellesley Teachers Association, chairman of the negotiating team and chairman of the grievance committee. He was appointed principal of the Wellesley Junior High School with the task of enabling the transition to the Wellesley Middle School. He retired in 1988. In the mid 60's they bought land on Branch Pond, Ellsworth, Maine and built a small summer camp there. They were busy on the board of the Branch Pond Association and were among the founders of their local road association. In his more than 40 years in Waltham, Mr. Hardy was active in the Piety Corner Club, serving on the board and as president. He enjoyed the Outlook Club, a monthly dessert and discussion club. After his retirement he joined the board of the Leland Home for the Elderly. He served as president initially and then as treasurer for almost 20 years. In New London he has been on the board of the Seasons Condo Association, briefly as president, and for more than 8 years as treasurer. He enjoyed the seek and find of genealogy. His survivors are his beloved wife of more than 57 years, Joyce Hitchcock Hardy; his daughter, Kristin H. Kenlan and her husband, Kevin, of Shelburne, Vermont; his son Bruce Woodman Hardy and his wife, Carol Chase Hardy, of Ashland, Massachusetts; his grandsons Peter and Timothy Kenlan of Portland, Maine; and his granddaughter, Olivia Hardy, of Ashland. Funeral Services will be held Monday, June 16 at 1:00 p.m. in the Covenant Congregational Church, 375 Lexington St., Waltham, Massachusetts followed by interment at Mt. Feake Cemetery in Waltham. A memorial celebration will be held at Branch Pond, Ellsworth, Maine later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to The Leland Home, 21 Newton Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or to Thayer Academy, 745 Washington Street, Braintree, MA 02184.