John J Hardy, 98, of Burr Ridge, a World War II veteran and former Hinsdale resident, passed away Feb. 3, 2021, from complications with aspiration pneumonia.
Mr. Hardy served in both the U.S. Navy and the Navy Reserve. As a navy pilot, he led air reconnaissance missions during his deployment in the Pacific Theater.
He was born in Chicago in 1922. At age 3, he moved with his mother, Rose, to Nebraska where they lived with his three aunts while completing his primary school education. He went on to attend Robert Bellarmine Prep School in Santa Clara, Calif., before enrolling at Loyola University. After graduation, his tour of duty began with the U.S. Navy. He was commissioned as on officer in November 1942 and stationed on Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. He flew the Corsair Fighter in more than 200 missions before retiring from active duty in 1945.
Wedding bells followed on Aug. 27, 1949. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserve until 1962.
John relocated with his family to Hinsdale, in the summer of 1964. He worked as an aviation claims adjuster for 23 years at a prominent Chicago law firm.
His passions included airplanes, baseball, music and dogs. For a few years he assisted his son, Brian, as a Little League coach in Burr Ridge. Regarded by many as a generous man of principle, John was also young at heart with a congenial personality and was a consistent instrument of peace. To those who knew him, John had become the example of what every man can be. He was the “possibility.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Marjorie D. Hardy. He is survived by his children, Christine (Jeffrey) Atwell, Brian Hardy and Mark (Mary Beth) Hardy; his nine grandchildren; and his 15 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at Adolf Funeral Home, 7000 S. Madison St., Willowbrook.
Family and friends will meet for prayers at 9:15 a.m. Friday, Feb. 19, at the funeral home, before proceeding to a 10 a.m. Mass at St Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 306 W. Fourth St., Hinsdale.
Interment is at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made online to Wreaths Across America at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/167238.
