Hardy, Alexander John

Alexander John Hardy was born May 8, 1935.  He was the second oldest of Gus and Bertha Hardy’s 7 children. He grew up on the farm and went to school at Deleau.  He met Mary Lou Skrine when her country school shut down and she transferred to Deleau to finish her school.  They were married May 4, 1957 and had 4 children, Jim, Ken, Karen and Susan.  They lived and farmed together near Deleau until 2015 when Mary Lou passed away.  In 2016 Alex moved to Victoria Park Lodge and in November of 2021 he moved to Reston Willowview Personal Care Home.  Alex passed away March 13, 2025.

Alex is survived by his four children:  Jim (Kate), Ken (Rhonda), Karen (Dick Van Buuren),  Susan (Doug Morrison), seven grandchildren: Jenna (Cody Wheelans), Dave (Jenna Henuset), Amanda (Scott McCormick), Alex, Rob (Malina), Shawn(Sarah) and Brent (Alicia).  He also leaves behind 14 great grandchildren.  Alex is also survived by his brothers; Roland (Lorraine) and Francis (Arleen) and his sister Mona Robson, sister-in-law Ginny Hardy, brothers-in-law Jack (Connie) Skrine and Ted (Linda) Skrine.

Being the second oldest Alex got to look after his younger siblings and Alex liked little kids.  As a young man he enjoyed pitching for the Deleau Fastball Club and when he was done playing fastball he would take up umping fastball. He curled competitively and later he would watch his Teulon Grandkids curling competitively  –  many a weekend was spent in various Winnipeg curling clubs watching and tutoring.

Alex loved Farming and for his time was fairly innovative. Rotational grazing, electric wire fencing and feeding were just a few practices he embraced and perfected. He loved his team of horses and kept using them long after most people had quit. Like most mixed farms of the time there were pigs, chickens and cattle. Although he worked hard, one of his best qualities was recognizing the importance for recreation. Many times he would say if we could get enough done during the week, on a Friday or Saturday we could quit early and go to the lake, which we quite often did.

Besides farming Alex had many side careers.  Before he finished school he started driving the van to Deleau and continued that for a number of years.  He was a carpenter and there are buildings, sheds & additions in Oak Lake, Waskada, Grande Clairiere, Teulon and a lot of places in between that he helped build.  He taught his kids and grandkids (with varying amounts of success) how to build things too.  He was a driver on the Morrison Feedlot cleaning crew for a number of years as well.

Alex was a 4-H leader for the Napinka/Grande Clairiere 4H club. He especially enjoyed doing sleigh rides for the kids at 4H Christmas parties and he continued to do that even after his own kids had finished 4H. He stayed involved and helped the grandkids with pointers in judging and showmanship and was excited to see the great grandkids starting in with their 4H projects.

Recreationally they enjoyed camping, golfing and of course dancing.  Many weekends and summer holidays were spent with the grandkids at the camper swimming and golfing.  They made many good friends in the years they danced and travelled around southwestern Manitoba to dance.   Alex was always up for a good game of cards or cribbage and he LOVED to win!  Even better than winning though was beating Mary Lou!  The grandkids learned early that there was no letting anyone win….you played by the rules and you won or lost.

Alex never complained.  He made the best of whatever situation he was given and that continued even into his later years.  When he made the decision that he needed to move to the lodge he joined the fellowship club in Souris.  He enjoyed new and old friendships playing cards and going for coffee.

Alex will be remembered for his quiet leadership and his calm demeanor.  He was a gentle giant always willing to help out where needed.

Private interment was at Souris & Glenwood Cemetery followed by a memorial reception at the Souris Fellowship club June 14, 2025.

In memory of Alex, donations may be made to the Parkinson Canada or to a charity of your choice.