Jack & I grew up in Norwood. Jack lived at 419 Lyndale Drive and I lived at 23 Hemlock Place. We attended Nordale school. We played a lot of pool (snooker) downstairs at Jack's house. (beautiful 6x12 Brunswick). In grade 9, Jack was playing the guitar and was learning to play the drums. We decided to form a band. We recruited Cam Nichols to play base and somehow inherited Tom Abrahm, (said he played tamborine)--- not. Anyhow we practised that winter in my basement and learned to play two songs.--Gloria and a Hermans Hermits tune. We convinced the principal to let us play at the school dance.  We got a standing ovation. ( there were no seats in the auditorium). We were short term heroes. That autumn Jack went to St John's Ravenscourt and I went to Nelson MacIntyre. I was invited to the Hardy's cottage at  the Lake of the Woods several times and in fact, learned to ski there. What a fine time jack and I had. The Hardy's were very good to me. Also smoked my first cigarette in Kenora. ( out of sight from adults. ) In the summers I rode shotgun with Jack in one of their Fords.Often a mustang, but his Torino was sneaky fast.After grade 12 we drifted apart, but did manage to go flying a few times after Jack got his licence. Certainly great memories for me. Two years later. I moved out to Penticton and Jack came to visit. Since then I have had some friends, but Jack- was my best friend. I  am unable to be with you on the 10 th, but I will be thinking of you and "James"      Jack was responsible for many of   my best memories. With love and sorrow, Frank Gair                 


Jack and I shared many parts of our flying careers, leaving Thunder Bay to new adventures in the Maritimes. Our employee cards of Air Atlantic and Air Nova had the exact same starting dates. We would often congregate At John and Ma's for pints and stories of our days.
Aviation has always had its twist and turns, but the common thread  was our passion to fly. Jack always found the positives in work and life and instilled it on his friends. Never a hair out of place , a gale or not, Gentleman Jack is flying again.

Jacks face was a  welcoming site if you were listed as an employee on a full flight trying to fly to where ever , he was always willing to help out lending a jump seat or 2 ! Having shared the same employers at Air Atlantic and Westjet ,  Jack was a pleasure to run in to no matter where. He was always genuinely  friendly to everyone he crossed paths with , he was so polite, and he was a true professional no matter what kind of chaos was going on around the airports.  He never hesitated to lend a helping hand at an airport gate if things happen to be going sideways , he would take time to explain to passengers the little things and help put them and airport staff at ease .... You certainly stood out from the rest . You were quite the gentleman Jack Hardy , and it is a comfort knowing you are flying high once again ..... 

Jack was an amazing guy gracious humble and would go to any length to help someone. After Air Atlantic ended he came to Air Nova for a time and I had the great pleasure of doing his initial Ground School. I was nervous knowing he would be there as Jack was a highly experienced Captain on every type we had and took a job with us as a Jr Dash 8 FO. I knew that he probably knew the Dash at least as well or perhaps better than me. He however was his humble self and was very appreciative of the work and never complained. Years later when he was a Captain on the 737 with West Jet I was trying to get to work from YYT and had already not got on 2 of our own flights. I went to the West Jet counter and requested the Jump seat but of course since 911 we would be granted the request but had to sit in the back. This meant if there was no cabin seat you couldn't go and they were full. As I was about to walk away the agent said, "The Captain wants to see you and said take your bags.". You can imagine my surprise and delight to see Jack's big smile. He said, "Grab the jump just take your hat off and no one will know the difference.". That's the kind of guy he was, he used common sense and would go out of his way to help his friends out of a jam. Rest in Piece Skipper we lost one of the great ones.

Dear uncle Jack, thank you for all the great memories from growing up with you. Pancakes in the mornings and rides with the boat. But also you checking in on us now and then in your funny messages without spaces. You will be missed but warmly remembered. Warm hugs and love to Kim, Nic and Erik in these hard times. 

Nikki, Kimmy and Erik, 

So sorry for the loss of your Dad. May you find peace and comfort in the special memories you had  with your Dad from the time you were a baby to now. Hugs and so sorry for your loss.



In the early 1980s, I flew with Jack for norOntair, based out of Thunder Bay, ON. At the time, I was a Captain on Twin Otters and Jack was just starting out on them. For fun to differentiate between us "Jacks", he would always refer to me as "Captain Jack" and himself as "FO Hardy". He was always a capable and fun pilot to fly with and I very much enjoyed the time we worked together.

I have met many, many pilots in my career as an inspector.  Jack was and still remains one I remember fondly.  It was always such a delight to see his name on a pairing with you because he made all of his crew feel like they were all important. His personality, easy demeanor, and sense of humor will be missed.  

Calgary holds a special place in the Hardy family hearts. 

Going to miss our weekend outings. Love you Dad

Michael,  flew with Jack and I, working with Air Atlantic/Canadian/Air Canada remember Jack and he always had a smile..When I was doing the gates and  Jack would be the Captain he always had time to chat with me at the gate before boarding his passengers. He was always proud to talk about his children and the goings on with them…we and everyone will miss him…fly high Jack…

Dad and I shared a love of lobster and bowl cuts.

Miss you Dad, 

Love Kimmy

Jack was always one of my favorite pilots to work with at Air Atlantic.   Not only  an amazing pilot, whom no matter what was happening  I always felt safe in the air with  but  always  someone who  had a genuine love of life.  
 When Air Atlantic was in it's last days  I flew mostly on the BAe 146  and knowing it was  likely the last time I may ever see  some of the crews I was working with I  often took photos  of myself with them.  Jack included! 
He  always told all of the flight attendants we were his favorite :)   and I think we all believed it ! Jack, my friend  I wish you  fair winds and blue skies in  great beyond. 

My Condolences to the family of Gentleman Jack.  Always in the crew room with a smile and a joke.  Never flew with him but was in the jump on a couple of occasions while commuting.  RIP Captain Jack.

So many wonderful memories - will be cherished forever.

Love Kimmy 

We are thinking of you all and sending heartfelt condolences. May the precious memories of your Dad give you some comfort and peace at this sad time.

Jack loved his cars! He kept them meticulously clean. He was thrilled with the purchase of the limited edition Mustang Bullitt in 2010. 

Hey dad, we all have a ton of great memories from our trips to visit you when you were living in Calgary. 

Calgary Stampede, random shopping trips, and skiing in the mountains were huge highlights. You always told the best stories on the long drives. 

Going through all the photos makes me smile. I love you dad. 

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

James "Jack" Robert Hardy

8 octobre 1951 – 4 juin 2022

A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home

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