Harry Fisher Hardin II

Harry Fisher Hardin II passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at the age of 45. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 12, 1978, Harry attended St. Aloysius School and then graduated from Catholic High School in 1996 (GO BEARS!). He attended Spring Hill College and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Theology in 2000. He loved to brag that he was the only Hardin son to be a collegiate award winner in History. Following college graduation, Harry taught religion at Brother Martin High School for three years, and his time spent there was his most treasured work experience. Harry also earned his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New Orleans in 2006 and completed the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in 2024.

Harry spent his professional career in commercial banking for seventeen years, with his most recent position as Equipment Finance Group Portfolio Manager and Vice President for Hancock Whitney Bank. Harry was a kind and dedicated colleague who brought a sense of calm and humor to Hancock Whitney. His ability to connect with his colleagues made him a wonderful mentor and his absence will leave a void deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working with him. Harry will be remembered not only for his professional contributions but for the warmth, laughter and kindness he shared with everyone.

There was no job or role he valued more than being the father of Seamus, Kiernan and Maura. They were his pride and joy and filled his heart and days with passion and purpose. Any activity or hobby they wanted to try; he was instantly invested in it 110%. To that end, he took up fishing, scouting, camping, soccer, lacrosse, dancing, cheerleading, and slime-making, to name a few.

He often shared that nothing made him happier than watching Seamus and Kiernan play lacrosse and he treasured the opportunity he had to coach them and their friends. Most recently he was happily serving as “the stats guy” for the Brother Martin Lacrosse Team. He was a valued leader and mentor to many lacrosse players over the years. He was also a forever devoted girl Dad, begrudgingly embracing glitter, proudly wearing sequins, suffering through trips to Ulta where he said yes to everything she wanted to buy, and spending many hours as Maura’s greatest cheerleader.

Harry’s devotion to his children was made evident through his involvement at St. Catherine of Siena School and Parish. His leadership traits were many and his emails were legendary for being entertaining and just a tad verbose. He gave much of his time and talent as a St. Catherine Pastoral Council Board member, Vice-Chair of the St. Catherine of Siena School Board, he served as Pack 230 Cub Master for what felt like a lifetime, he was the St. Catherine of Siena lacrosse coach for several years, a member of the Men’s Club, a dutiful worker in the Jazz Fest beer booth and a founding member of the culinary experience that was The Gator Grub. One of his greatest joys was serving as Mrs. Jan’s annual holiday helper. Harry served as a Eucharistic Minister and most recently served in the Parish Ministry for marriage preparation with his wife, Emily. Harry and Emily also chaired the capital campaign committee to fund the construction of St. Catherine’s Gator Field. In 2023, Harry and his wife Emily were recognized with the Legacy Award from St. Catherine’s for their service to the Parish and School.

Unbelievably witty with a slightly irreverent sense of humor that was second to none. To be invited into his circle of light and laughter when he had his entertaining shorts on was a side-splitting and memorable experience. Harry will be remembered by many names, including Hops, Harrith, Hair Ball, Reverend, Scouty, Laxy, HH, and Harold the Banker. Forever clad in his favorite button-down oxford dress shirts, he will also be remembered for his dedication to the Blessed Mother, the nicknames he bestowed on his favorite people, celebrating his Irish heritage, excessive attendance at Black Crowes and Foo Fighter concerts, his love of smoking meat and drinking really good bourbons, his knowledge of random historical facts, and his obsession with WWII and submarine movies. He was also a Master Boiler, an expert Boudin Ball Maker, an avid LSU football and baseball fan and proud member of Team Chits and Piggles benefiting Hogs for the Cause.

Married for 22 years, Harry leaves behind his wife, Emily, who was his everything, and his three children, Seamus, Kiernan and Maura, who he adored.

He is preceded in death by his father A. Edward Hardin, Sr. and his grandparents, John Patrick Grimes and Susan Proby Grimes; and Harry Sproule Hardin and Frances Fisher Hardin. He is survived by his mother, Marybelle Grimes Hardin, his brothers A. Edward Hardin, Jr. (Nancy) and Sean Grimes Hardin (Maureen), nieces Sarah and Claire Hardin, nephews Brendan and Patrick Hardin, his great uncle, Very Rev. John Hardin, OFM, his in-laws Gordon and Ann Stevens, his bevy of sisters-in-law, Amanda Friedlander (Ryan), Caroline Bacon (Michael), Melanie Hoeman (Brent), Mary Catherine Luxhoj (Carl) and Eugenie Stevens, his brother-in-law, Miles G. Stevens IV (Alyssa), his nieces and nephews Finn and Joseph Friedlander, Colin, Anna and Vivian Bacon, Jude, Rory, Sam and Charlie Hoeman, Luke Luxhoj and Piper Stevens. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered by countless family members and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend funeral services on Monday, November 11, 2024, at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm and a Mass to follow at 3:30 pm. There will be a reception immediately following in the Barrett Complex at St. Catherine of Siena. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Catherine of Siena Church and Hogs for the Cause. Service will be livestreamed via https://www.youtube.com/live/VqmuZe57iv8.