Charlton : Richard (Dick) B. Hardy, formerly of Sturbridge, MA, and a current resident of Overlook Retirement Community in Charlton, MA passed away peacefully on September 28.

He was the devoted husband of 61 years to Sarah C. Hardy who predeceased him in March 2020. Richard was the son of Charles Baxter Hardy and Phyllis Koehler Hardy of Worcester, MA and graduated from Classical High School in 1950. With an NROTC scholarship in hand, he attended Rice Institute (University). Upon graduation in 1954, he served for three years as a US Navy Lieutenant on the USS Earl K. Olsen (DE 765) and then began his career with The Norton Company from 1957-1961.

Dick is survived by his three children: Elizabeth and Alan Peppel of Fiskdale, MA, Thomas and Jane Hardy of Columbus, NC, and Susan and Dr. Nicholas Tretter of Holden, MA; eight grandchildren – Allison and her husband Mike Jenkins, Kaitlin and her husband Bobby Becker, Andrew Peppel and his wife Alexandria, Nathaniel and his wife Callie, Cole, and McKenna Hardy, and Dr. Lindsay and Spencer Tretter; and seven great-grandchildren - Saylor, Charlee, and Ford Becker; Avery, Wells, and Bennett Jenkins; and Margot Peppel. His sister, Janice Bjork predeceased him.

In 1961, Dick joined Hyde Manufacturing of Southbridge, MA as the Assistant Sales Manager and served as Treasurer from 1966-1975 and then as President from 1977 – 1996. With the acquisition of Russell Harrington Cutlery in 1968, Dick served as President from 1969-1992.  In addition, he served as Chairman of the Hyde Group of companies from 1996 to 2005. During his leadership tenure, the Hyde Group grew and expanded organically and through the acquisition of numerous companies.

The Affinity Group was founded in 2010, and numerous charitable donations to aid Southbridge and surrounding communities were made by the Hyde/Dexter Charitable Foundation and Affinity Group Charitable.

In addition to his business success, Dick was an active civic leader and contributor to the Tri-community area. He was a 38-year trustee of Harrington Memorial Hospital and served as Board Chair from 1970-1975. He was past Director of the Tri-Community Chamber of Commerce and Tri-Community YMCA. He was a Director of Mechanics Bank/Fleet Bank from 1969-1999, Director of Reed Machinery, and Chair of the Investment Committee for EcoTarium. He served as Trustee for many years at Old Sturbridge Village and served as Chair of the Investment Committee. Dick served 12 years as Trustee including Chairman of the Board at Nichols College from 1985-1989, where he received an Honorary Doctorate. In business associations, he served as President the American Cutlery Manufacturers Association from 1971-1973 and the Hand Tool Institute from 1995-1997.

Dick was a member of the Elm Street Congregational church, Southbridge, the Quinebaug Lodge (AF & AM) of Southbridge; the Doric Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, Southbridge; Scottish Rite Consistory (32nd Degree) Valley of Springfield; and the Melah Temple Shriners, Springfield. Most recently he was a member of the Rose of Sharon Lodge, Charlton.

As his life story shows, Dick Hardy was an active, social man who made a difference while caring about his family, the people in his business, the business, and his community. He was blessed to enjoy a full life of boating, skiing, and world travel with his wife Sarah, while loving and enjoying life with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated CNAs at Overlook, the caregivers from Visiting Angels and hospice nurses. We are deeply grateful for their kindness and compassion to Dick and the family.

Calling hours for Dick will be held on Friday, Nov. 6th, from 2:00 to 4:00pm in the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7th, at 11:00am in the Meeting House at Old Sturbridge Village, Stallion Hill Rd., Sturbridge.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dick's memory may be made to Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd., Sturbridge, MA 01566, online at osv.org/support/donate or to the Shriners Children's New England, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104, online at shrinerschildrens.org