Peter Hardison
January 17, 1951 ~ February 12, 2020
South Portland - Peter Hardison, 69, passed away on February 12, 2020, following a long illness.
Pete was born on January 17, 1951, in Portland, Maine. He grew up in the Willard Square neighborhood of South Portland and attended South Portland High School, where he was a standout in baseball and basketball. Pete was an avid, lifelong sports fan, specifically of Boston sports teams. In 1974, Pete married his wife, Katherine Tarling, and this summer they celebrated their 45th anniversary.
After attending classes at the University of Southern Maine for two years, Pete became a firefighter for the Portland Fire Department. He attained the rank of lieutenant, and was the youngest person to do so in the history of the department. At the time of his retirement in 1995, he was stationed at Munjoy Hill, assigned to Ladder One.
Along with his lifetime love of sports, Pete had an encyclopedic knowledge of the music of the 60s and 70s. For years, his daily routine included curating a large collection of CDs and listening to music in the early evening. Pete had a soft spot for animals, and loved the several dogs that the family owned over the years, especially their current dog, Abby.
More than anything, Pete was most proud of his sons. He imparted his love of sports, music, and intellectual curiosity to them, and never missed an opportunity to tell others how proud he was of them.
Pete was predeceased by his parents, Rosemary and Lester. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Hardison; sons, David and Kevin Hardison; daughters-in-law, Stephanie and Sarah; granddaughter, Eleanor; and sister, Janet Brady.
An hour of visitation will be held from 10-11:00AM, on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A funeral will immediately follow in the chapel at 11:00AM, followed by the burial at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. A reception will follow at The Snow Squall Restaurant, 18 Ocean Street, South Portland. To view Peter's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com
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Pete’s Family. Have not seen or talked w Pete in likely over 50 years but was saddened to learn of his passing. We played baseball w and against each other and graduated from HS the same year- he from SPHS and me from Cheverus. Went to college and never resettled in Portland He had great humor along with great skill. Always a good person. Enjoyed my time w Pete and was always happy to hear of his Career success. So sorry for your loss. Brian O’Regan, Virginia Pete is front row on my left. 1968 Legion state champs.Had just come across this and passed on to a few teammates.
– boregan11@gmail.
Very sad to learn of Peter’s passing. Peter was a good friend of many of us in the South Portland and Cape Elizabeth sports scene, and a wonderful teammate on our American Legion baseball team. Beyond that, he was also a caring and loyal personal friend, whose wit and humor could lift spirits of all who knew him. As pointed out in the obituary, Peter’s love for the music of the 60s and 70s was indeed legendary. I will cherish the memories of many hours spent enjoying that music together, both on home audio systems and during the several concerts we attended together. Peter will be greatly missed. My deepest condolences to Katherine, David, and Kevin, and to all his family and many friends. David Fink
– David Fink
So many years at Eng. 11 and Bramhall. No one had more fun than us. My condolences to Kathy and sons. Wayne McGinty
– Wayne