Brooke Hardy, Teacher and Councilman

Jefferson Township native Brooke Hardy died last Saturday from complications of cancer. He was 67.

Hardy was a teacher in Jefferson Township for 35 years, retiring in 2002. He was also a Jefferson Township councilman from 2001 until 2010, when he resigned his seat so he and his wife Lorrie could retire to North Carolina.

“He was just a great guy who did so much for this town,” said Jefferson Township mayor Russell Felter. “He was involved in everything. And he was a great teacher, too. Kids who had him still talk about him because he made learning so much fun.”

Jefferson Township business administrator Jim Leach recalled how dedicated Hardy was to being a councilman.

“He put a lot of time into being a councilman, and wanted to learn everything he could about an issue before he voted on it,” Leach said. “I can remember many months of going over the budget with him one afternoon a week so that he really understood it before he made any decisions. He was a great guy, and I’m really going to miss him.”

And Jefferson Arts Committee president Carol Punturieri posted the following on Facebook:

“Brooke Hardy was a gentleman who will be missed by all the people he touched during his lifetime -- from children to adults, from his students to fellow teachers, from government officials to friends and acquaintances, from golf partners to community volunteers.  He, along with his wife Lorrie, were committed members of the Jefferson Arts Committee for many years and instrumental in the Jefferson Township Day celebrations from cooking hot dogs in the early days to planning activities and overseeing logistics.  Brooke will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew him,  and his humor, his voice, and his laugh will never be forgotten.   He was a man who didn't just talk about making a difference - he was a man who made a difference, and his legacy will live on in Jefferson Township forever.  May he rest in peace.”

According to an obituary from Andrews Mortuary and Creamatory, Hardy is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lorrie Hardy, son, Derek Hardy and his wife Anna of Fair Lawn, NJ, daughter, Heather Hine of Lake Hopatcong and three grandchildren Alyson, Kylee and Morgan Hine of Lake Hopatcong, sister Gail Duffy of North Carolina, brother Byron Hardy of Maryland, and sister Jayne Aulph of Florida, along with nieces and nephews.

There will be a viewing at the Andrews Mortuary and Crematory, 1617 Market Street, Wilmington, NC, on Wednesday, March 21 from 6 – 8 p.m. A service will be held at the conclusion of the viewing. He will then be cremated.
A memorial service and disposal of his ashes in Jefferson Township is planned for early fall of this year.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that a donation be made in his name to your favorite charity or to the American Cancer Society. For those who would like to express their condolences, the address is:

Mrs. L. Hardy
8398 Compass Point E. Wynde
Leland, NC 28451