Obituary of Richard I. Harding

Richard I. Harding, 90, of 1904 S. Maple St., Ashville, passed away on Friday, April 20, 2018 in UPMC Chautauqua WCA Hospital. He was born Sept. 9, 1927 in Jamestown, the son of the late Roland and Alta Drew Harding. Richard was a 1946 graduate of Jamestown High School and attended Jamestown Community College. Before retirement he was employed at Marlin Rockwell for 37 years. In earlier years, he worked on the family farm with his parents, raising Angus beef cattle. He was a communicant of Holy Apostles Parish, Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church for many years. In earlier years, he was a member of Tops Chapter 721 and the Golden Agers with his wife and the Lakewood Yacht Club from 1970-1981. He enjoyed reading, playing cribbage, watching golf, basketball, women's tennis and volleyball, and lived for March Madness. Starting with his father and continuing with two of his children, he enjoyed competitive sailing of the Lightning Class. In the 1930's, he and his father built a Lightning Class sailboat. Richard is survived by his children: David (Brenda) Harding, Kevin (Sally) Harding, Valerie Harding, Thomas (Chelsea) Harding; nine grandchildren: Karl (Tia) Harding, Timothy (Holly) Harding, Justin (Kelley Card) Harding, Jill (Kenny) Roberts, Timothy Harding, Meaghan Harding, T. Gage Harding, Zoe Harding, Alta (Tristan May) Harding; six great grandchildren; and a sister Dorothea Peterson. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Harriet Burton Harding, whom he married May 28, 1960 and whom passed away on Aug. 30, 2009; and a son, Charles Harding on July 27, 2012. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Roger Peterson, Jr. will officiate. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. on Monday in the funeral home.