Edgar Anthony (Tony) Harder, 66, passed away at home on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. He was born in August 1945 to Frances and Edwin Harder in Bonifay, Florida, and raised in Ware, Massachusetts. He graduated from Ware High School and went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1965-1969. While at Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam, he rose to the ranks of Crew Chief and Staff Sergeant of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron and was awarded the Air Force Commendation medal. Upon his return he resumed his education, earning a BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He and his wife, Sandy, were married in 1969 and settled in Old Saybrook in 1974 where they raised four children.
Tony was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Sandra J. (Robinson) Harder and is survived by his loving children: daughter Robin and husband German Dziebel of Rye, NY; daughter Hilary and husband Andrew Hurdis of Ivoryton, CT; daughter Jill and husband Theodore Hartenstein of Old Saybrook, CT; and son Jeffrey and wife Siobhan Harder of Osterville, MA; as well as grandchildren Elliott and Clara Hurdis and Alexandra Dziebel. Tony was predeceased by his father Edwin, and is survived by his mother Frances Harder and sisters Constance Robinson, Janet Giza, Judith Vadnais, Joy Harder, Eileen Tucker and Christina Shea. His extended family includes numerous nieces and nephews.
Tony had a lifelong passion for engines and mechanics. He worked in aircraft engine overhaul and repair for Pratt & Whitney for over 30 years and more recently for General Electric and AGC, a career that allowed him to travel the world including Denmark, England, Germany, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. He was also a co-owner of Saybrook Lawn and Power Equipment for many years.
Tony faithfully served on numerous committees as an active member of the First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook and was a past member of the Republican Town Committee. He enjoyed extensive travels with his wife and family across the United States and to Europe as well as building intricate model airplanes, working on classic cars, participating in car shows, and fixing anything and everything.
Whether remembered cruising around in his painstakingly custom restored 1960 Corvette, fixing a neighbor’s lawnmower, or walking hand in hand with his grandchildren to the park, Tony was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Tony’s memory to the First Church of Christ to go to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen, Heat and Eat, and Youth and Family Services’ family of the month or to the Old Saybrook Education Foundation.
Calling hours will be held Sunday, May 20, 2012, from 2pm until 4pm at Swan’s Funeral Home 1224 Boston Post Road Old Saybrook. The Memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook on Monday, May 21, 2012, at 3:30 pm. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com to leave an online condolence or tribute.
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