Joe Hardy, 84 Lumber founder, dead at 100

Jan. 7—Joseph A. Hardy III, founder of 84 Lumber and Fayette County's Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, died Saturday, officials with his company reported.

Joe Hardy died on his 100th birthday.

"The Hardy family lost their patriarch and all-around great man," said Amy Smiley, vice president of marketing for 84 Lumber Co. "Many knew Joe as a brilliant businessman and enthusiastic entrepreneur. Even with his vast success, Joe always remembered what matters most: people.

"He helped make the American dream real for so many, and he will be greatly missed. Joe proved that nothing is impossible by willing himself to his 100th birthday."

Working with two younger brothers, Hardy opened a cash-and-carry lumberyard in 1956 that focused on professional homebuilders in the tri-state area. He named the business for the small town of Eighty-Four where it was headquartered.

The business has grown to nearly 250 stores. It achieved $3 billion in sales in 2004.

Hardy also founded the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Fayette County, known for its luxury hotel, dining outlets, spa, golfing and art collection. He helped to develop the resort's Mystic Rock golf course, which opened in 1995 and hosted the PGA 84 Lumber Classic from 2003 to 2006.

He eventually turned over control of the businesses to his daughter, Maggie Hardy Knox.

Joe Hardy also founded Hardy World, a private equity real estate development firm based in Bentleyville. The company's projects have included The Refinery luxury condominiums in Pittsburgh's Strip District.

Hardy was elected to the Fayette County Board of Commissioners in 2003, serving as vice chairman from 2004 to 2007.

A native of Upper St. Clair Township, Hardy graduated from high school in 1941 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces, serving as a lieutenant and radioman during World War II.

After the war, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh and worked at an uncle's jewelry store before striking out into the building materials supply field at 31.

In 1985, he first claimed a spot on The Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest people in the world. Venture Magazine named him Entrepreneur of the Year in 1987.

He joined the University of Pittsburgh board of trustees in 1989 and established an entrepreneurship program at Washington & Jefferson College.

His advice to young entrepreneurs: "You must be willing to take the positives and negatives. The failures are an opportunity to learn and strengthen a team.

"Attitude will surely set you apart and make you excel."

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff by email at jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .