Clare L. Hardesty

Theresa- Clare L. Hardesty, formerly of Halseyville Road in Trumansburg, passed away peacefully at the St. Joesph’s Nursing Home in Ogdensburg, NY on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at the age of 82. 

Born on January 23, 1942, in Ithaca, New York, he was the son of the late Russell & Angela (Perry) Hardesty. He grew up in the Ithaca area, he was baptized Catholic in 1951 and raised in Catholic foster homes from the age of 4 until he entered the United States Army. He served from 1960-1962 and then returned to Ithaca. 

Clare worked at Ithaca Gun Company and Morse Chain in his early adulthood. In 1976 he began his long career as a sexton, first at the Congregation Church in Cayuga Heights as a part-time job. Then in 1982, he began full-time at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ithaca and then in 1985 started at St. Paul’s Methodist Church also in Ithaca. He retired from all 3 churches in 2005 and relocated to Theresa, NY. 

On August 18, 1984, he married Nancy S. Salisbury and they were happily married for 19 years prior to her death on November 23, 2003. Clare enjoyed fishing in his boat on Cayuga Lake in his spare time. He also loved working on his model train track that he built over the years, listening to music in his recliner on Sunday afternoons, and was very serious about his movies. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow up.

He is survived by his two daughters, Isabelle (Mark) Savage, and Sheila (Matthew) Woodward, a son, James Hardesty all of Theresa, a step-daughter Mary (Allen) Wells of Cicero, step-son David (Tina) Stanton of Syracuse, along with several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. The family would also like to thank the staff at the St. Joseph’s Home who cared for Clare for 5 years and not only became like family to him but family to his daughters also. 

He is predeceased by his parents, his loving wife of 19 years, Nancy S. (Salisbury) Hardesty, brothers Stephen, Russell, Lawerence, William, Paul, twin brother Clarence, a sister Kathleen and brother-in-law Norman Salisbury.

The family will hold private services at the Lundy Funeral Home Chapel and a Graveside Prayers of Committal Service will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 1:00 pm at the Calvary Cemetery in Ithaca, NY with Military Honors. Friends and family are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made in Clare’s name to St. Joseph’s Home 950 Linden St. Ogdensburg, NY 13369. 

Arrangements are entrusted to the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. 500 State Street Carthage, NY 13619. To leave a sympathy message for Clare’s family please visit www.lundyfuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall.