11/21/2025
November 20, 2025
Jon H. Hardie
ROYALSTON- Jon Harold Hardie passed away peacefully at his beloved home, a home he hand-built with friends, family, and neighbors 24 years ago. Jon loved things of beauty; he apprenticed himself to a traditional guide canoe builder in Maine, meticulously building a canvas and cedar canoe complete with steamed ribs and thousands of hand-peened copper nails. His future wife once quipped upon hearing his amazing life tales that if he proposed to her on Tully Lake in this very canoe, she would marry him. He did.
Despite a traumatic childhood and the tragic, violent death of his parents as a young teen, Jon dedicated his life to overcoming that early hardship. He turned toward creative endeavors, served his communities, and worked towards ensuring all his work was driven by compassion and deep caring. He credited his biology teacher for saving his life, seeing the potential in him, and helping him find himself.
A brilliant mind and an almost photographic memory helped propel Jon into leading roles in one career after another. From his father, he learned the art of salesmanship, survival skills, photography, and a love of reading and books. From his mother, he learned persistence and dedication to community.
A defining period in his early life was when his Uncle John Frymoyer took him under his wing, sending him off to be an AMC hut boy in the White Mountains. Days were spent hauling enormous loads of supplies, as well as the famous green chair, from hut to hut.
Working on DNA research at Woods Hole with Dr. Hidemi Sato of Dartmouth Medical School, capturing DNA on super high-speed film, Jon learned critical thinking and a profound respect for scientific inquiry and the nature of dynamic living systems.
Jon completed undergraduate work in Biology and Sociology at Shimer College in Illinois, followed by a Psychology degree from the State University of New York, Albany. Graduate work at Putney Graduate School in Teacher Education was disrupted by alternative service in Harlem and Roxbury as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. He attended Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge for nearly three years.
In the early 70s, while working in R&D at Lexington Instruments, he developed an innovative direct blood oxygen measurement system using fuel cell technology that was later used in hundreds of hospitals around the world. The later part of that decade was spent as Project Director for the Rockland Senior Nutrition Program, where he raised money, recruited volunteers, and built a county-wide network of nutrition programs with integrated healthcare services. During that time, along with 12 others, he successfully sued then-President Nixon to release over $750 million in block grants.
The decade of the 80s included serving as Director of Elder Affairs in Salem, MA, increasing services while streamlining costs. He then became Chairman of MicroDirect, where he negotiated and brought Samsung Computers into the US Market. Other projects included developing unique solar projects in New Mexico, such as solar well pump systems on reservations with Native Americans, resulting in special recognition from the early Solar Industry.
Jon dedicated time working for Habitat for Humanity running the woodworking shop near Atlanta. In Maine, Jon became a Circuit Rider, helping to deliver IT technical services to remote non-profits, like the Maine State Library and Library Association, as well as training non-profits on Grant writing.
After moving to Royalston, MA, Jon volunteered as the town's IT director, giving thousands of hours of support "24/7" as he liked to say. He also launched his brainchild—a wireless pilot network that provided Internet Services to the south village area. This system provided service for years, until a viable commercial option became available. He loved the town and served because he thought it was the right thing to do. One can't mention Jon without noting his daily attention to the weather, and commitment to make sure everyone knew when a storm was coming.
Jon was especially proud of his son Brad, when he achieved his dream job as a member of the New York City Fire Department. He was equally proud of his Marine son Scott as he transformed himself into a man.
Jon leaves behind the love of his life, wife Rebecca Krause-Hardie, and dear sons Brad (and Megan), Scott (and Rebecca), and beloved grandkids, Gunner Haubert (and Taylor), Cullen, Talia, Aeden, and Mason. And best boy Kala Dog.
He would encourage donations to the Royalston Fire and EMS Association, Life Path, or any other organization that holds caring, compassion, and loving kindness at their core.
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM
