Donald W. Hardy (Don) passed peacefully on November 12, 2022, in McClure-Miller Respite House in Colchester, Vermont after a courageous and private battle with Merkel cell carcinoma.

Don was born on January 21, 1945, in Malone, New York to William and Regina Spellman Hardy. He graduated from Franklin Academy in 1963. After high school, he attended Siena College and later graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Don held various auditing positions at several companies in the Northeast US and retired from the FDIC as a bank examiner. He lived in many places spending time in New Jersey, Upstate NY, Kenmore, NY, and most recently back in his hometown of Malone.

Don was a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 219 Malone and the Malone Lodge of Elks. He was also a communicant of St. Andre Bessette Church. He really enjoyed his visits to the YMCA, whether in Malone or Kenmore or any state he was visiting. Don always found the Y to visit and make new friends.

Don’s most favorite place was Lake Titus where he spent many years at his family’s camp on the lake. In later years, you could find him on his pontoon boat visiting friends and family as he did his dock tour. Besides the lake, he loved his Buffalo Bills and enjoyed discussing the outcome of the games. But the best sporting events he loved watching were his great nephews’ games, which he never missed.

He loved visiting friends and family. He seemed to have a friend in every town and when asked where he would stay, he’d tell you, “I’ve got a friend there” and he did. And you never knew when he would drop in for a visit or a meal. He relished his breakfasts in local diners especially frequenting Hosler’s in Malone and the Cherry Knoll in Chateaugay among many.

Don was pre-deceased by his parents, sister Lynn Hudak and brother Jim Hardy. Don is survived by his family including sister-in-law Dianne Hardy, brother-in-law Bob Hudak; nephews, Mark (Anne) Hudak, Stephen (Michele) Hudak, Kris (Nicole Manley), Jeremy (Jackie Gonzalez) and Adam Hardy, great nephews and great niece and many cousins plus a multitude of friends.

Services will be private. If you wish to remember Don, please donate to your favorite charity or to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Don will be sorely missed for his truly larger-than-life spirit, his booming voice, and his great sense of humor and fun. If there was a party, you knew Don would be there, and he’s sure to have found one in his next journey. 

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