Farmington, Pa. – Founder of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Resort Joe Hardy died Saturday on his 100th birthday.
Hardy was born in 1923 in Upper St. Clair. After serving in World War II, he earned an engineering degree from the University of Pittsburgh. At the age of 31, he opened Green Hills Lumber before joining his brothers in a cash-and-carry lumberyard in Eighty Four in 1956. The billionaire grew 84 Lumber into one of the largest privately held companies in the country.
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, a 2,000-acre site located in Farmington, is another one of Hardy’s accomplishments. The resort boasts a hotel, art collection, and spa, as well as fly-fishing and golfing opportunities.
He was also the founder and CEO of the real estate development company Hardy World LLC, which operates The Deck on University Avenue in Morgantown.
Memorial contributions can be made to Habitat for Humanity or the Pennsylvania Classic Foundation.