Waltham
Robert Eugene Hardison, 85, passed away peacefully September 30, 2013 at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital, Ellsworth with his family at his side. He was born in Waltham, December 18, 1927 the son of Arthur E. and Elvellyn A. (Kemp) Hardison.
A veteran of WWII, Robert was in the US Army stationed in the German Theatre of Operation. After coming home, old Hard kind of settled into being a woodsman and pulp trucker for a good many years. Trucking wood from Eastbrook or Waltham to Bucksport or numerous lumber mills was his occupation. After that Dad was a carpenter at Associated Builders, then for many years for Bobby Ray. Robert Hardison loved baseball. In the 1960’s, he was a pitcher for the Lamoine baseball team, part of the league. A left handed pitcher, he was known for his curve and knuckle ball pitches. The old man would say, “I threw a lot of junk, but they couldn’t hit it. As one would guess with baseball in his blood, he had to have a team to support through thick and thin. The Red Sox were his team. Good, bad, and mediocre, he supported them till the bitter end. He knew Baseball. The old man remarked a few nights ago that some of his happiest times were guiding and hunting with the Southbury, CT crew at camp Cozy. Setting up a hunt on Birch Hill, Brawns Bluff, Carter Spring Swamp, or the Basin Hole made him happy, playing cribbage with the boys at Bog River camp while watching the Patriots was a fall highlight. And in the spring time taking his grandchildren brook trout fishing at Little Bog River was something he really looked forward to. Old Hard taught us how to work and how to play. Good luck in your new hunting grounds, you’ll be missed by family and friends.
Robert has been happily married for the past 39 years to Verna (Leeman) Hardison. Verna had three children, Karen, Chuck, and Barbara.
He is survived by his wife, Verna; sons, Mark Hardison and wife Beth of Dedham, Douglas Hardison and wife Gigi of Waltham, Thomas D. Hardison and wife Edie of Waltham, Todd Hardison and wife Sue of Surry; daughters, Beverly E. Reed and husband Charlie of Osborn, and Karen Davis of Georgia; 18 grandchildren that he adored; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandson; brothers, Floyd and Bill; and sister, Laverne. He was predeceased by his parents; first wife, Natalie in 1970, mother of his five children; sisters, Dora, Wilda, and Leota; daughter, Barbara McAlpine; son, Chuck Harraden; brother-in-law, Dick Spofford; son-in-law, Jim Davis; and grandson, Dougie Hardison. Dad always said he had two families, the 2nd one being the Tschauder family from Southbury, CT
Calling hours will be held 5:00-7:00, Thursday, October 3, 2013 with a Masonic Service at 7:00 at Jordan-Fernald, 113 Franklin St. Ellsworth where a funeral service will be held 11:00am, Friday, October 4th . Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, Waltham.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Robert’s memory may be made to Waltham/Eastbrook Youth Association, c/o Chris Kravitt, 443 Cave Hill Road, Waltham 04605
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com