POLAND - Prayers will be held on Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at the Holy Family Church for Major Thomas M. Hardy, 35, who passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Tom was born May 15, 1981, in Youngstown, a son of Timothy and Jeanne Hardy.
Tom attended the Holy Family School and graduated in 1999 from Poland Seminary High School. Tom received an ROTC scholarship to The Ohio State University, graduating in 2003 as the Distinguished Military Graduate with degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. Upon graduation from OSU, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team known as "Bastogne" and the 2nd Battalion 327th Infantry Regiment and deployed to Mosul, Iraq for the first of two deployments there.
While stationed in Iraq, Tom received an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and returned stateside in 2004 and was stationed in Ft. Campbell, Ky. Tom went on his second tour to Kirkuk, Iraq, in 2006. During this deployment, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in a combat zone and promoted to Captain. Upon redeployment, he transferred to the 30th Medical Command in Heidelberg Germany, where he was assigned as the Automation Management Officer and then Headquarters, Headquarter's Company Commander.
Tom was responsible for all medical personnel while stationed in Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan for a year. Upon returning from Afghanistan, Tom was stationed in Washington, D.C., where he attended George Washington University, receiving his 2nd Master's Degree in Information Technology. After graduation, he was assigned to Ft. Carson, Colo. as Chief Information Officer at the Evans Army Hospital and promoted to Major. Following that assignment he began his Ph.D. in Information Technology at the University of Colorado.
Tom enjoyed playing the guitar and in high school was a member of the "No Cash Value" band. He also enjoyed fishing, mountain climbing and motorcycles. Between all of his tours he visited 55 different countries.
Tom's greatest loves was for his daughter, Carolina, and his dog, Clifford.
Tom is survived by his parents, Timothy and Jeanne Hardy of Poland; his daughter, Carolina Sofia Hardy of Stuttgart, Germany; a sister, Lisa Hardy of Burlington, Vermont; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Tom was also preceded in death by his brother, Jim Hardy.
Family and friends may call on Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to the Holy Family Church or Holy Family School 2729 Center Road Poland, OH 44514 .
Please visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences.