Carroll Edward Hardy, Jr., a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, cherished brother, and proud veteran, peacefully passed into his eternal home on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Carroll was born on August 31, 1959, in the New York, New York, to the late Carrol Edward Hardy, Sr. and Helen Tanehill Hardy. He grew up in the Bronx and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School, where he excelled both academically and athletically. A talented athlete, Carroll participated in track and field as well as gymnastics, displaying early on the discipline, determination, and drive that would remain with him throughout his life.

In 1982, Carroll began a distinguished career in the United States Air Force. Over the course of 22 years of dedicated service, he rose to the rank of Master Sergeant and worked in communications and network security. His military career took him and his family around the world, with assignments at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan; McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas; Thule Air Base in Greenland; and finally, Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where he retired from active duty. Carroll also proudly served his country during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

One of the greatest constants throughout Carroll's life was the love he shared with his high school sweetheart, Bernadette. The two had known each other since they were just 13 years old and married in 1983. For 43 wonderful years, they built a life together filled with love, family, adventure, and countless memories. Bernadette was not simply his wife; she was his lifelong companion, his best friend, and the love of his life.

Carroll believed strongly in education and continued pursuing his own while serving in the military. In 2003, he earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from Saint Leo University and later returned to earn his Master of Business Administration in Information Security Management, also from Saint Leo.

Carroll was a Mason and was involved with American Legion Post 594 in Warner Robins. Service to others was not something he did for praise or recognition; it was simply part of who he was. Carroll had a truly giving heart and was always looking for opportunities to help others. His generosity was never about receiving praise or recognition; in fact, he preferred to give quietly, simply because he knew it could make a difference in someone’s life. For Carroll, the greatest reward was knowing that he had helped someone when they needed it most.

He especially enjoyed participating in Toys for Tots because it gave him an opportunity to bring happiness to children. During the holidays, he also made a point of spending time with fellow veterans, making sure they knew they were remembered and valued. Whether giving his time, resources, encouragement, or simply his presence, Carroll gave freely and expected nothing in return. His generosity was never about being noticed; it was about noticing others.

As proud as Carroll was of his military career, education, and accomplishments, nothing compared to the pride he felt for his family. Being a husband, father, and grandfather was, without question, his greatest joy and most treasured role.

Carroll loved his family deeply, openly, and without reservation. He was a doting father who never wanted his children to wonder how he felt about them. He told them he loved them, celebrated their accomplishments, encouraged them through life's challenges, and made certain they knew just how proud he was to be their dad. Sometimes words spoken aloud were not enough, so Carroll would put pen to paper, writing heartfelt letters to his family that expressed his love, admiration, and pride in them. Those words will forever remain precious reminders of the enormous heart behind the man who wrote them.

Carroll’s love for his family ran deep, and it was evident whenever he spoke of them. He was never afraid to show his emotions, especially when sharing how proud he was of those he loved. His family was truly the center of his world, and he made sure they always knew just how much they meant to him.

That love took on an entirely new dimension when he became a grandfather. He was the kind of granddad every child deserves, the one who adored his grandchildren, delighted in them, celebrated them, and made sure they always knew how incredibly special they were to him. To his family, Carroll wasn't simply a good husband, dad, or granddad. He was their safe place, their encourager, their biggest supporter, and one of the greatest blessings of their lives.

Away from his professional and charitable pursuits, Carroll was an avid car enthusiast and had a genuine appreciation for music of all genres. He enjoyed the things that brought him happiness, but even those interests took a back seat to the people he loved.

Carroll was, quite simply, a remarkable human being. He was intelligent and accomplished, yet humble; strong, yet tenderhearted; generous without seeking recognition; and deeply devoted to those fortunate enough to call him family or friend. He spent his life serving his country, helping others, providing for his family, and making certain the people he loved knew exactly what they meant to him.

The measure of Carroll's life cannot be found only in his years of military service, the degrees he earned, or the accomplishments he achieved. It is found in the family he treasured, the people he quietly helped, the children whose Christmases he made brighter, the veterans whose holidays he made less lonely, the letters filled with words of love, and the countless lives made better simply because Carroll Hardy was part of them.

His memory will forever be treasured by his beloved wife Bernadette Hardy; children, Miquilina Hardy (Michael Martinez) and Alexandra Hardy (Korey Noble); grandchildren, C. Ronin Graham, Adrianne Hardy, Olukumi Noble, and Ariasafa Noble; siblings, Anthony Hardy (Gilda), Jeffery Hardy, and Randell Hardy; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be Friday, September 18, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in the chapel of McCullough Funeral Home. Afterward, Carroll will be laid to rest privately. 

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial donations be given in memory of Carroll to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org .

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.