The Rev. Canon Richard Joseph Hardman

Deaths Elsewhere

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | February 21, 2016

The Reverend Canon Richard Joseph Hardman passed away in Stuart, FL on January 28, 2016 at the age of 93. Dick, known most affectionately as Papa, was born on May 6, 1922 to Joseph and Violet Ivy Brownhill Hardman in Pittsburgh, PA. On his 18th birthday, Papa enlisted in the US Navy and served as a naval aviator flying TBF Avenger torpedo bombers from aircraft carriers in the Atlantic during WWII.

One of his many acts of heroism was surviving the sinking of his carrier, the Block Island, after it was torpedoed during an attack by the Germans. After the war ended, Papa attended the University of Pittsburgh and Western Seabury Seminary where he earned a degree in Theology. Papa was ordained to the Order of Deacons in the Pittsburgh Episcopal Diocese in March 1950 by Bishop Austin Pardue. In 1950, Papa married Patricia "Patty" Gillespie and had daughter Lynn and son Richard. Papa served as assistant minister-in charge of the Church of the Atonement in Carnegie, PA and then as Rector of St. Stephen's Church in McKeesport, PA.

In 1957, Papa became Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Westfield, NJ. During his 25 year tenure, Papa was confirmed as Canon of the Episcopal Church by the Bishop of the Diocese of NJ for faithful and valuable service. In 1967, taking a sabbatical from St. Paul's, the Hardman family moved to Cali, Colombia where Papa served as the interim rector of the only English speaking Church, Iglesia LaTrinidad. In Cali, Papa established an elementary school for local impoverished children. Today the school has grown to include a middle and high school. The Hardman family returned to Westfield in 1968 and Papa continued to expand the congregation at St. Paul's.

In 1982, Papa and Patty moved to Stuart, FL where he quickly became involved in the community. During his time in Stuart, he was the Chaplain of The Waterford, interim priest at St. Patrick's in West Palm Beach, and St. Mary's.

Papa's smile and laughter were contagious. His sermons overcame you with laughter and tears. His passion for flying and the water led his family all over the world, including to his beloved squadron reunions. His love of food carried over to the kitchen, both at home and at St. Mary's, where he excelled at preparing intricate fare. He was the master of story and joke telling. He is loved and will be missed by so many.

Papa is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Patty, his children and their spouses: Lynn and George Winner of Elmira, NY and Richard and Deborah Hardman of Port St. Lucie, FL, his sister Elaine Ellms of Fairhaven, MA, and his granddaughters: Catherine, Elizabeth and Meredith Winner.

Family and friends are invited to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 623 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart, FL 34997, at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, February 26, 2016 for a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of Papa. Family and friends are also invited to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 414 E. Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090 in the early Spring, 2016 at 10:00 A.M. for the funeral service. In lieu of flowers or donations, those wishing to remember Papa may do so with your kind thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements by Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Stuart.

Originally published February 21, 2016.

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