Gerald (Jerry) N. Hardie, age 74, of Shrewsbury, passed peacefully at NYU Langone Medical Center surrounded by family Nov. 22, 2021.
Born to Andrew and Alma Grace (Jennette) Hardie, Jerry grew up on Staten Island. One of six children, his home was lively and he always valued a sense of family and loyalty to those around him. He was a graduate of Curtis High School and was drafted into the U.S. Army at the age of 19. A Vietnam War veteran, he served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Upon returning home, he went on to receive a business degree from Bernard Baruch College, CUNY. He married his wife Lydia in 1976 and, within a few years, they moved to Shrewsbury where they settled their roots and grew their family.
Jerry had a career as a credit analyst, working for various factors/banks in the factoring industry in New York City. In everything he did, he worked hard and was proud to be able to always provide for his wife and two daughters.
To know Jerry was to know that he had a heart for hospitality and loved to serve up a perfectly grilled steak, enjoy a delicious meal around his table, or he would show up with a seafood appetizer to share with you around your table. Jerry enjoyed working in his yard, tending to his lawn and gardens, always moving plants around for the perfect bloom.
After retirement, he especially enjoyed trips down to sunny Florida to visit friends, being around to help his daughters with anything they needed, and spending time with his grandsons. Grandpa always had an ice pop in the freezer for them, no matter the season or time of day.
A beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend, he always felt the more the merrier and wanted you to have enough food, drink and laughs. He enjoyed sitting and reading in the late afternoons on the beach with Amanda; he loved advising and trading information with Justine on her gardens.
An avid sports fan, Jerry was loyal to his NY teams – the Giants, the Yankees and the Knicks. He was a Rutgers football season ticket holder and loved fall Saturdays at the stadium with family and friends. He enjoyed a good round of golf with friends as much as he loved a competitive tennis game with his wife.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lydia; two daughters, Amanda Hardie and Justine (Mike) McDonald; and grandsons, Felix, Jack and Quinn McDonald. He also leaves behind his five siblings: Rose (Rich) Hersey, Anne (Raul) Padilla, Lynn (Herb) Cantor, Cheryl (Jim) Young, Rick (Mary) Hardie; sister-in-law Teresa (Jim) Pellecchia; many nieces and nephews; and his extended family, including many cousins in the United States and England.
Visitation was Dec. 3 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Dec. 4 at St. James RC Church, Red Bank. Burial followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jerry to the Disabled American Veterans, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.
The article originally appeared in the December 9 – 15, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
