Obituary for Howard P. Hardin
Reverend Mr. Howard P. Hardin
Howard P. Hardin, of Ayer (formally Acton) MA died February 3, 2019 from complications of heart disease and dementia at Benchmark Leominster Crossings. He was 89.
Howard was born January 3, 1930 in Arlington, MA to the late Howard and Anna Hardin.
Howard graduated From Arlington High School in 1949 after playing hockey for the Arcadia Hockey team winning the state championship in that same year.
Howard and his high school sweetheart, Jacqualyn Nash celebrated 68 years of marriage this past October. She became his life’s partner in service with his business, social and spiritual activities. He built his family home in Acton, where they raised their 7 children and one foster child, Sam Padilla.
Howard’s leadership skills and desire to serve developed early and were demonstrated by his successful business Dana Contractors, his participation in the Acton Minutemen, marching in President Kennedy’s inaugural parade in Washington DC in 1961, and as President of the Action Lions Club in the 1960’s.
It came to his heart to serve his Lord Jesus whom he loved with his whole being.
In 1980, Howard was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of Boston, primarily serving at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Acton, St. Basils Cursillo of Methuen, and Norfolk & Bridgewater prison ministries. It was a joy and honor for him to officiate at many friends and relatives’ marriages, baptisms and funerals throughout his 38 years of service. His most difficult, yet faith filled, funerals were that of his son Peter and his good friend’s daughter-in-law, Amy Sweeney.
In the 1960’s, he found a parcel of land on Lake Winnipesaukee and along with his family built, by hand, a summer cottage on Diamond Island. This became his paradise where he made many memories with family and friends for the rest of his life. He was quick to help family and friends with any projects.
In addition to his wife, Howard leaves 3 daughters, Joanne Hardin, Julie Thomas, her husband Jeffrey, Jennifer Leary, her husband Nicholas and 3 sons, Paul Hardin, his partner David Cao, Kevin Hardin, his wife Lisa Carson, Dale Hardin. He was predeceased by his son Peter Hardin.
He is survived by his grandchildren, Bree Schpero, Dana Hardin, Brianna McInnes, Jeffrey and Sarah Thomas, Oliver and Simon Leary along with great grandson Lincoln Schpero, a brother, Lawrence Hardin, his wife Phyllis and sister, Alice Dooling along with many nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Hardin and sister, Claire Bell.
Howard was unique and will be missed, whether it was playing the spoons, singing ‘Amen’ off key, cooking up his delicious meals, showing up unexpected to help out or wearing his red plaid Christmas slacks; we will have many fun memories to keep his spirit with us.
The family would like to thank Benchmark Crossings of Leominster staff, especially those of the culinary and Harbor teams who enriched Howie and Jackie’s last year together.
A wake and funeral Mass, officiated by Rev. Peter Quinn, will be held at St. Catherine of Alexandria, 107 North Main St., Westford, MA 01886. www.stcatherineparish.org
Wake Thursday, February 7, 2019 4:00-8:00 pm
Funeral Mass Friday, February 8, 2019 at 10:00 am
A life celebration reception will follow in church hall
A private family burial will follow at later time.
Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Basil’s Salvatorian Center – Cursillo, 30 East Street, Methuen MA 01844
Arrangements have been entrusted with deep respect to Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA 01720 www.actonfuneralhome.com
Howard P. Hardin, of Ayer (formally Acton) MA died February 3, 2019 from complications of heart disease and dementia at Benchmark Leominster Crossings. He was 89.
Howard was born January 3, 1930 in Arlington, MA to the late Howard and Anna Hardin.
Howard graduated From Arlington High School in 1949 after playing hockey for the Arcadia Hockey team winning the state championship in that same year.
Howard and his high school sweetheart, Jacqualyn Nash celebrated 68 years of marriage this past October. She became his life’s partner in service with his business, social and spiritual activities. He built his family home in Acton, where they raised their 7 children and one foster child, Sam Padilla.
Howard’s leadership skills and desire to serve developed early and were demonstrated by his successful business Dana Contractors, his participation in the Acton Minutemen, marching in President Kennedy’s inaugural parade in Washington DC in 1961, and as President of the Action Lions Club in the 1960’s.
It came to his heart to serve his Lord Jesus whom he loved with his whole being.
In 1980, Howard was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of Boston, primarily serving at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Acton, St. Basils Cursillo of Methuen, and Norfolk & Bridgewater prison ministries. It was a joy and honor for him to officiate at many friends and relatives’ marriages, baptisms and funerals throughout his 38 years of service. His most difficult, yet faith filled, funerals were that of his son Peter and his good friend’s daughter-in-law, Amy Sweeney.
In the 1960’s, he found a parcel of land on Lake Winnipesaukee and along with his family built, by hand, a summer cottage on Diamond Island. This became his paradise where he made many memories with family and friends for the rest of his life. He was quick to help family and friends with any projects.
In addition to his wife, Howard leaves 3 daughters, Joanne Hardin, Julie Thomas, her husband Jeffrey, Jennifer Leary, her husband Nicholas and 3 sons, Paul Hardin, his partner David Cao, Kevin Hardin, his wife Lisa Carson, Dale Hardin. He was predeceased by his son Peter Hardin.
He is survived by his grandchildren, Bree Schpero, Dana Hardin, Brianna McInnes, Jeffrey and Sarah Thomas, Oliver and Simon Leary along with great grandson Lincoln Schpero, a brother, Lawrence Hardin, his wife Phyllis and sister, Alice Dooling along with many nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Richard Hardin and sister, Claire Bell.
Howard was unique and will be missed, whether it was playing the spoons, singing ‘Amen’ off key, cooking up his delicious meals, showing up unexpected to help out or wearing his red plaid Christmas slacks; we will have many fun memories to keep his spirit with us.
The family would like to thank Benchmark Crossings of Leominster staff, especially those of the culinary and Harbor teams who enriched Howie and Jackie’s last year together.
A wake and funeral Mass, officiated by Rev. Peter Quinn, will be held at St. Catherine of Alexandria, 107 North Main St., Westford, MA 01886. www.stcatherineparish.org
Wake Thursday, February 7, 2019 4:00-8:00 pm
Funeral Mass Friday, February 8, 2019 at 10:00 am
A life celebration reception will follow in church hall
A private family burial will follow at later time.
Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Basil’s Salvatorian Center – Cursillo, 30 East Street, Methuen MA 01844
Arrangements have been entrusted with deep respect to Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton, MA 01720 www.actonfuneralhome.com