Thomas Hardesty Sr.
Thomas Alvin Hardesty, Sr. “Tommy” Died December 12, 2018 at Gilchrist Hospice after a short illness.
Tommy was a man that never met a stranger. His robust and caring personality was apparent the moment you met him. He was a third generation funeral director who honed his compassion, attention to detail and expectation that any and all persons he met or served would be taken care of and cherished.
Born November 17, 1937 in Annapolis, MD he spent his years growing up in his beloved Galesville, MD. He often regaled about his work in the tobacco fields and barns of beautiful “South County”. Not a stranger to hard work in a family business he started working in funeral service at 12 helping his father Bernard O. Hardesty and his grandfather Thomas Hardesty, his name sake, install “tombstones” in many of the small cemetery’s all over MD, DC and even Virginia. Tommy was a graduate of the “Old Southern High School” in 1955. He was awarded a wrestling scholarship to the University of Maryland for two years before attending mortuary school at the American Academy/McAllister Institute in NY, NY. While attending mortuary school he worked in Greenwich Village at the Perazzo Funeral Chapel. He made friends there as he always had that have lasted his entire life. He graduated in 1960 and joined his family business.
In 1963 he married his true love Jacklyn Woolford Hardesty from Annapolis. Tommy and Jackie were inseparable. Jackie pursued a career in Nursing before too joining the family business at the funeral home obtaining her Mortuary Science degree from the then Catonsville Community College. Sadly after only 43 years of marriage Jackie died of breast cancer in 2006. A loss Tommy suffered till this week when they would be reunited.
An athlete and outdoors man, Tommy coached youth football for the Annapolis Elks where he and his father were members. Many locals recall the landmark case in the county that Tommy made when he would not allow a child to be forbidden to play due the racial discrimination of the 70’s. A person that could not stand racism of any kind he made everyone welcome in everything he did. Tommy loved hunting, fishing, boating, travel and most of all entertaining at their home with all of his family and friends. There were no strangers and no one was permitted to leave hungry, Jackie was a fabulous cook and both she and Tommy would love to welcome everyone to their home. The crab feasts and pool parties were legendary. Travel was a true love for both Tommy and Jackie; they had friends all over the US, the Islands and Europe. Tommy loved to play Santa Claus for the kids, his generous spirit and laughter made it seem so real.
Tommy was a 3rd degree Mason Annapolis Masonic Lodge 89, Scottish Rite, as well as a member of the Eastern Star where Jackie was a past Grand Matron. Together they love all things Masonic and traveled around to the many functions and events at various Masonic Lodges and Chapter. Memberships also include the Annapolis Kiwanis.
Surviving are his children, Kimberly S. Hardesty of Crownsville, MD, Thomas A. Hardesty, Jr. (Amy) of Aurora, CO, his grandchildren Brian (Emily), Courtney, Michael and Caroline. His siblings Bernard “Bo” Hardesty of Grasonville, Joseph “Jerry” Hardesty, and Martha Hardesty, both of Annapolis. He was predeceased by his brother Michael Hardesty.
Relatives and friends may call at the Hardesty Funeral Home, P.A. 905 Galesville Road Galesville, MD 20765 on Sunday December 16, 2018 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM where funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 am, interment will follow in the Woodfield Cemetery, Galesville, MD in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to We Care and Friends 92 W. Washington Street Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Online condolences may be placed at www.
hardestyfuneralhome.com