It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Joseph A. Hardy, who passed on Saturday, Jan. 7, his 100th birthday. He is known for founding both Nemacolin Resort and 84 Lumber, a company that generates billions of dollars annually and, according to Forbes, is one of the top 75 biggest private companies in the US.
He died in "true Hardy fashion," the company wrote in its official statement. "Joe passed away with his cigar in his hand, surrounded by his loving family singing Broadway show tunes to comfort him at his home in Farmington, Pa."
While Hardy accomplished much in his life—he was a husband, father, grandfather (and great grandfather), veteran, pilot, gemologist, philanthropist, and much more—he made his biggest mark on the residential construction industry through his company 84 Lumber, which he began as Green Hills Lumber in a vacant basement in 1956 with his childhood friend Ed Ryan and brothers Norman and Bob.
"Under Hardy’s leadership and tireless work ethic, 84 Lumber expanded and became the largest privately owned building materials supplier in the world, with stores in 30 states and currently employing more than 6,000 associates," wrote the company in its official statement.
Today, 84 Lumber is a vertically integrated materials supplier, component manufacturer, and an installed sales and service provider for the construction of single- and multi-family homes and commercial buildings, with 250 locations and $7.5 billion in 2021 sales.
Hardy is survived by his wife, eight children, three stepchildren, 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.
Related Stories
Business
Choosing Humanism, History, and Beauty Over Modernism
Celebrated architect Laurence Booth, whose career spans half a century, shares insights on modernism's flaws, the characteristics of beauty, his design process, and more
Custom Builder
Building Relationships, Building a Business
Custom builder and Pro Builder Forty Under 40 awardee Chris Adams built his business from the ground up by first, and most importantly, building relationships
Business
Finding the Intersection of Architecture, Design, and Film
In celebration of the 15th annual Architecture & Design Film Festival, we recently sat down with its director, Kyle Bergman, to learn a little bit more about how and where architecture, design, and film come together
Business
Expanded Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Homes Will Benefit 'Eligible Contractors'
IRS guidance on the expanded 45L tax credit for energy efficient homes includes new opportunities for contractors
Custom Builder
Take Part in Our Annual Housing Forecast
The best way to understand the residential construction industry is to speak with residential construction professionals. And with that being said, we humbly ask for your input in this year's survey
Custom Builder
Understanding Your Biggest Competitor
You may not think of yourself as a tour guide, therapist, doctor, marriage counselor, or investment advisor. But those are the skills custom builders need in today's market
Custom Builder
Women at WIRC: Jessica Cargile Talks Business Management and Work/Life Balance
Jessica Cargile owns and operates a custom building company with her husband, a dynamic that requires constant teamwork and an intentional effort to strike a healthy work/life balance
Business
Entries Closing Soon for Best in American Living Awards
Custom builders have only one week left to submit their projects for recognition
Custom Builder
The Power of Stories
At the 2023 Jeff Shore Sales and Marketing Summit, we sat down with author, speaker, trainer, and home building sales expert Ryan Taft to explore his thoughts on storytelling, including its role in successful sales and relationship building
Custom Builder
Building 'Living Architecture'
Master builder Jeff DuBro's novel approach to design and architecture embraces not only how clients intend to live in the home, but also how they intend to live in the surrounding community