Mitchell R. Hardy

Mitchell Robert Hardy passed away at the age of 61, in July of 2017, at his home in Rowley, Massachusetts. He was born in August of 1955 in Palatine, IL to Betty Bertelson of Sun City West, Arizona and the late Stanley Hardy.

After graduating from Bentley College in 1980, Mitch went on to start a business as a financial advisor with his close friend, Bill Matson, and together they wrote a book on the same topic, Data Driven Investment Management. In 1988, Mitch married Susan Bailey of Amesbury, MA, and together they raised two children, Douglas and Sarah.

Mitch loved being outdoors his whole life. His fondest childhood memories were of fishing and elk hunting with his father as well as gardening, starting with his first garden at age 8. He spent many years growing fruits and vegetables with his family at Willowdale Farm, and he especially loved preparing meals with fresh produce from his own garden. Mitch was a passionate cook, and his ambitious holiday meals will be missed. He passed on a fascination for plants to his daughter and a love of cooking to his son.

Throughout his life, Mitch could always be found with a book in hand, and his curious nature led him to far-ranging topics such as astrophysics, military history, and new styles of cooking.

Mitch is survived by his wife, Susan Bailey, his two children, Douglas and Sarah Hardy, his mother, Betty Bertelson, his stepmother Diane Hardy, and his five siblings: Lynne (Rick) Kiley, Matthew (Karen) Hardy, Liz (Bob) Evitts, Margaret (Rudy) Mendoza, and Joe (Cyndee) Hardy. He was predeceased by his father, Stanley Hardy, and his stepfather, Wendle Bertelson.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:15 a.m.on Saturday, August 5th at St. Paul’s Church, 166 High Street, Newburyport, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Church during the hour preceding the service. Burial will take place immediately following the service at Main Street Cemetery, Rowley.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Mitch's memory may be made to the Among Friends Meal Program at St. Paul's Church, 166 High St., Newburyport, MA 01950.