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On Saturday, 84 Lumber Co. announced that its founder and the patriarch of the Hardy family, Joseph A. Hardy III, has died.
It was his 100th birthday.
In addition to founding and growing 84 Lumber into what is currently the second-largest private company in the Pittsburgh region, Hardy was a well-known businessman who also founded and built two other ventures, Nemacolin and Hardy World.
“Many knew Joe as a brilliant businessman and enthusiastic entrepreneur,” the company said in its announcement. “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.”
According to 84 Lumber, Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair and served in the Air Force as a lieutenant and radioman during World War II. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh.
Hardy founded 84 Lumber, which is headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania, the town for which it is named, in 1956, and in 1992, he handed the company over to his daughter, Maggie Hardy Knox, who now serves as owner and president of 84 Lumber Co. and Nemacolin. In 2021, 84 Lumber reported over $7.86 billion in revenue — a 106.05% increase over 2019 that landed the company on the 2022 list of the region's 50 fastest-growing companies — with 6,700 total employees. Nemacolin, located in Fayette County, reported $84 million in revenue and has 1,000 employees.
Hardy was first named to the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest people in the world in 1985.
Taylor Hardy, one of Joseph Hardy’s other children, serves as vice president of operations and helps to lead his commercial real estate development company, Hardy World, which is headquartered in Bentleyville, Pennsylvania.
“Joe proved that nothing is impossible by willing himself to his 100th birthday,” the company said. “His family is beyond proud of him for making this final accomplishment.”
Just before his birthday, Hardy, in a release by 84 Lumber, offered some advice to his secret to longevity. He noted it's important “to stay contemporary and stay with the times as they continue to evolve. The basic principles don’t change too much whenever you are dealing with human nature.”
He also offered some lasting advice to young entrepreneurs: “Keep an open mind. People are everything. Sometimes you have to tickle their brain to truly find out an individual’s goals and analyze what they are seeking. However, trying to evaluate an individual and catering to their desires will lead to ultimate success. It is a matter of a team, and 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.”