Hanford J. Tardy

LEWISTON - Hanford J. Tardy, 85, of 70 Blake Street, Lewiston died July 24, 2008 at Central Maine Medical Center. He was born September 6, 1922 in Presque Isle, Maine, the son of Joseph and Alice (Goven) Tardy. He attended school in Presque Isle before the call to duty found him in the European African Middle Eastern Theater as a Rifleman in the US Army during World War II. He served in the US Army from July of 1944 until October of 1945, returning home as a wounded veteran. Once he returned from the overseas conflict, he continued with his job on the University of Maine Experimental Farm in Presque Isle and married Lorraine Guerrette. He labored on the farm for forty-seven years, attaining the position of the work crew foreman. He greatly enjoyed the outdoor labor, whether it be on the tractor planting potatoes, harvesting various crops, or assisting with the many trials that the University faculty conducted to find a more sustainable agriculture for the Maine farmer. He also assisted Lorraine with the operation of the farm's boarding house. University of Maine students from various countries would live with Hanford, Lorraine, and their children during the summer months while the students worked on the Experimental Farm. They continued this partnership until her untimely death in 1979 due to breast cancer. Hanford later married Gladys (Gagnon) Gauvin and continued to work on the farm. Shortly after his retirement, they moved to Ocala, Florida to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. They remained there for several years until returning to Maine to be closer to their families. For the past few years Hanford has been a faithful partner visiting Gladys almost daily at Marshwood as she lives with Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his wife, Gladys; son, Donald, and wife, Marianne, of Phoenix, Arizona, son, Michael, and wife, Diane, of Sabattus, Maine; daughter, Carol Leclair, and husband, Nathan, of Lisbon, Maine; sister, Charlene Dickenson, and husband, Elwin, of Eagle Lake, Maine; sister, Mary Jane Gaudreau, and husband, Leon, of East Granby, Connecticut; stepdaughter, Delcia Goode and husband, Thomas of Bangor, Maine; stepson, Raynold Gauvin, and wife, Sandra of Mapleton, Maine; stepdaughter, Diana Tilley, and husband, Thomas of Ocala, Florida; stepson Gilman Gauvin, and wife, Connie of Bristol, Connecticut; stepson, Gary Gauvin, and wife, Pam of Bar Mills, Maine; stepdaughter, Lisa Jack, and husband, Gus, of Yarmouth, Maine; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other family members; and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; first wife, Lorraine; half-brother, Michael Goven, half -sister, Varlee Shaw; sister, Kathleen; son, Philip; daughter, Lori Ann; son, Alan. Tardy-Died in Lewiston July 24, 2008. Hanford J. age 85 of Lewiston. A Mass of Christian Burial honoring his lfe will be celebrated Tuesday 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church, Presque Isle. Interment in the family lot St. Mary's Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be held Monday 2-4 & 6-8 PM at the Duncan & Graves Funeral Home 30 Church St., Presque Isle, ME. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com Arrangements by Pinette & Lynch Funeral Home, Lewiston, 784-4023