Charles Grant Hardy, Jr.
June 24, 1951 - August 5, 2019
Charles Grant Hardy Jr., currently of Middletown, DE, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 5th, 2019, at home surrounded by his loved ones at age 68.
Born in West Grove, Pennsylvania on June 24th, 1951, he was a son to Mildred Christine Brack and the late Charles Grant Hardy, Sr. Charles was the oldest boy of six children. Charles graduated De La Warr High School in 1970 where he met his wife Janice W. Short, they married August 24th, 1971. Charles joined the Delaware Army National Guard in 1970, where he worked until he retired at the rank of MSG, E-08. During his years of service in the National Guard, he made many lifelong friends who became his family.
After losing his wife Janice in 2015, Charles was later given a second chance at love when he met Annette Shrewsbury Surtees in August of 2016 and they married on May 19th, 2018. Although the time they had together seemed short, the impact Charlie had on not only Annette and her daughter Emily and son in law Anthony, but also her family and all who met him through her, was profound and will last a life time.
A true renaissance man, there wasn’t much he couldn’t do and he would never shy away from offering a helping hand to anyone. He loved spending time with his family and friends out on the boat or surf fishing on the beach. He was extremely friendly and always had an infinite amount of love to share, even to strangers, and he made friends and left a lasting impression everywhere he went. Charles enjoyed a good practical joke and had an infectious smile. The mold was truly broken when he was born; and you always knew you were in the presence of a very special man.
As a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, he will be dearly missed by his family and his many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Annette Hardy; children, Brian Hardy, Stacy Roberts (wife, Lyndsey) and Jeffery Hardy (wife, Casey); step-daughter, Emily Sparacio and her husband, Anthony; siblings, Margaret Gagnon, Gail Yandoli (Joseph), Eddie Hardy, Maryann DeFeo Hardy and Linda Mitchell (Marty); and his beloved grandchildren, Ryan, Emma and Abigail Hardy, the apples of his eye.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 12 noon on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at Townsend Church, 4519 DuPont Parkway, Townsend, DE followed by a memorial service beginning at 12 noon.
Charles was always willing to help others and as a long time blood and platelet donor he has chosen to donate his remains to medical science to further cancer research. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, both monetary and blood or platelet donations be made in Charlie’s honor to your local blood bank in order to carry on his legacy of love and compassion for others.
Patricia Weismiller
That’s a beautiful obituary for Charles. My deepest sympathy goes out to all his family.
David Trincia
Charles you will always be in my heart ❤️
Claire Noble
You are one special guy! Words can not express what we all are feeling. You deserve the best! Love you man! Claire
Brian Reid
God Bless you my friend and your family! I will miss your friendship deeply!
Luis Velazquez
Honor knowing and serving with you Charlie. One of a kind.
Ed and Darlene Brack
Charles was a great guy that we loved very much. We will miss his smile and gentle spirit. Our love goes out to friends and family.
Audrey Van Luven
My deepest sympathies.
Don Messick
A great guy, an asset to the Delaware National Guards, a great friend to Zab, all of the pilots and enlisted members. So sorry, our prayers go out to Charlie’s family.
Joe McNair
Rest in peace brave warrior. Gone but NEVER forgotten. Your memory will always be there. You always were there to help, fix and show how to do things with a large smile . Thank you for being my friend for all these years.
Andrew Liebeknecht
You will be greatly missed, my friend. A great leader, soldier, and human. Always a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Rest now. Miss you. Andy
Phillip Croall
My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to the family. You made me a better leader and Soldier! I love ya brother!
Thomas Stombaugh
A good man and person that has left a space that can’t be filled!
Skeeter
Charles all ways had a smile, I’m sure he will be missed, God has recruited an nother Angel. R.I.P. Charles. Skeeter an Debbie .
PAUL FERGUSON
TO THE FAMILY WHAT A GREAT PERSON WILL BE MISSED WE WORKED TOGETHER 20 PLUS YEARS PLEASE ACCEPT MY CONDOLENCES
Roger Swain
Oh Charles. You have left us too soon. We had an amazing time wop wop wopping around the friendly skies or all those years. Sharing that experience with you and all the 2nd platooners was the highlight of my time in the guard. Thanks for all you did. Swainy
Terr Shaffer-Gommer
My deepest sympathy to Charlie’s family. My prayers are with you all. The De La Warr Lions has lost another Lion.
carmine
Never forget the good times we shared with all the crewchiefs and pilots chuck will never be fogotten as an aviator and a friend RIP brother
Priscilla lane
Charles was a delightful little guy ! He grew to be a great young man…..had such a wonderful way about him!Wishing comfort to all the Family
Randy and Kenda
Charles was very special Person with a great light and testimony, we will miss him greatly. God bless His whole family
Chuck Emmons
When I think of Charlie I think of a Boy Scout, because he represented every tenant of the scouts, trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. He represented everything good about the National Guard and the people you meet there. My heart goes out to the family of a most extraordinary man.
Michael & Suega Hardy
Condolences and love to all the family for the loss of a great relative. Sorry that we are unable to make it out to be with you all at this time. We pray for comfort to come to each of you as you deal with this. Know that we will be there in spirit Saturday. Love, Sue and Mike Hardy, cousin and cousin-in-law
Julie DeHaas
My heartfelt prayers are with Annette, Emily, and the rest of the family. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Love,
Julie DeHaas
Tony and Judy Poe
Our deepest sympathy to all the family. Prayers for strength.
Gail
I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts prayers and hugs go out to you and your family and all who loved him. Charlie was such a beautiful person..always smiling…always kind… I am sorry..I may not be able to attend..I am suppose to be out of town..you will be in my thoughts for sure..May Charlie RIP!
jan snedeker
To all the Hardy Family,
So sorry for your loss. Charlie was always so good to me and like a member of the family when I was young. I would like to think Charlie and Zab are fishing with Mr. Hardy and Frannie’s Uncle Johnnie and Uncle Al.
Deb Fletcher
My deepest condolences to the family. He was a beautiful person.
Deb Fletcher (Noble)
Dennis Kelley
I knew Charlie from the DEARNG and always loved his smile … like he was always up to something … I will miss him.
Vicky Miller
I was so saddened to hear of Charlie’s passing. He was a great man and will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Peter Annal
RIP Chuck. It was a great pleasure knowing and serving with you. It was always good to see your smiling face. Always.
Patti Campbell- Pierce
So sorry for your loss. Charlie was a great guy . He will be missed dearly by all his family and friends. R.I.P.
Dottie Keeler
My deepest sympathies to Charles family . I remember your smile.
R.I.P.
William Campbell Jr
Charles, you have left us way too soon. You were truly one of the greatest friends I have known both socially and during our 30 plus years working together. May you Rest In Peace. My sincere condolences to the entire Hardy family.
Marge Gott
Charles was a sweet, kind person who always had a beautiful smile.We will surly miss him so much. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family. Love Mark and Marge❤️
Nancy Alexander
Charlie, it was a pleasure to serve with you. I remember you stopping in to HRO and you would always pop by my office to say hello. Such a kind person! My condolences to your family.
Dave Breakiron
What a great man. I always looked up to Charlie. We should all strive to be the MAN Charlie was and who he will continue to be in our hearts. Will miss you my friend but never forget you!
Lawrence Wiggins
To The Entire Hardy Family So Sorry To Here The Passing Of Charles May RIP
Larry Wiggins Del – ANG
Dubby LeKites
Chuck kept everything electrical working in my house for over the thirty years we worked together. He could do anything in the field and keep the aircraft flying with duct tape and wire. I loved him and will miss him.
Joe Murphy
To one of the finest individuals in the DNG Aviation family. Charles will be missed by many….
God bless you
Major Travers
He was special and will be remembered by many.
Brenda Collins robinson
Please except our heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your loved one.
Richard Isaac
Rest in peace my friend.
Briant & Beth Shepherd
Our deepest sympathy to all of the Hardy family. We both worked with Charlie and what a great guy! RIP
Drew C. Elrod
I can’t think of a single time Charlie wasn’t smiling that great smile. It was an honor to serve with him and I will miss him deeply. My deepest sympathies to his family and all those that knew and loved him.
June & Jim Ogden
Prayer of peace for the family. Sorry for the loss of your loved on.
Roxanne Reed
My deepest condolences to the Hardy Family, my neighbors of many years. May you rest in peace 🙏
Ed & Jane Sutton
Annette,
We were saddened to hear about Charlie’s death last Sat thru Clare Noble at the Shady Dell HOA annual meeting.
He is in our thoughts and prayers. We pray that the Lord gives you and the rest of the family the strength to continue with life in Charlie’s absence.
Home 301-384-4384
Sincerely,
Ed & Jane Sutton