SIDNEY – Gordon R. Harde, 87, of Sidney, Maine, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta following complications from a brief health battle. Gordon was born in LaPorte, Ind., February 21, 1934. He was predeceased by his parents, Axel and Frieda (Wegener) Harde; brother Milton; brother-in-law Donald Peeples and wife Denise; and sisters-in-law Lana Peeples and Donna Zech and her husband Bud. He attended high school in LaPorte, Ind. After graduating in 1952, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in dedicated service to his country on both active and reserve duty. After his release from active duty (1956), Gordon attended the College of Pharmacy at Butler University in Indianapolis. During this period, Gordon found the love of his life, Clara Peeples. They married on December 27, 1958 to begin their journey as forever soul mates, and they recently celebrated their 63rd birthday. After graduating from college in 1960, Gordon began his professional career in pharmacy and was employed as a pharmacist for eight years at a small family pharmacy in South Bend, Ind. In light of his growing family (son Michael and daughter Caryn) and expanding professional horizons, Gordon and Clara moved to Maine where Gordon began a long tenure at LaVerdiere’s Super Drug Stores. He worked as a pharmacist in several of their stores before being promoted to Director of Pharmaceutical Operations, where he oversaw and guided all aspects of the pharmaceutical division of more than 50 LaVerdiere locations. After leaving LaVerdiere’s, Gordon entered the hospital field and continued his work as a pharmacist at Mid Maine Medical Center in Waterville and Kennebec Valley Medical Center in Augusta. Gordon spent his last professional years working as a pharmacist at the VA Medical Center in Togus, where he helped provide pharmacy services to other veterans. After retiring at age 71, Gordon volunteered at the Maine Hospice in Waterville and the Veterans Administration in Togus. Gordon felt it was both a privilege and an honor to offer companionship and peace to his fellow veterans in their final battles. Gordon carved wooden eagle-headed canes for all of his hospice friends as a way of honor, commemoration and reminder of their selfless contributions to our country. Gordon was a renowned carver of decorative birds and decoys. His works ranged from simply sculpted traditional pieces to intricately detailed contemporary decoys that, even at close range, looked ready to take flight. He has won numerous blue ribbons and Best of Show honors at regional and national competitions as well as ribbons at Ward’s World Championship competition held annually in Ocean City, Maryland. He was also one of the founding members of the Maine Wood Carvers Association and introduced many people to the art of carving. He was accomplished as a flat art painter in acrylics, oils, and watercolors, and he loved all things woodworking. While he spent many hours in his studio, Gordon still found time for bird watching, kayaking, fishing, hunting, hiking, diving, skiing, family games and managing his and Clara’s property in Sidney. when you were near Gordon. He could keep a group laughing and entertaining for hours with his tales of youthful antics (mostly at the expense of his childhood best friend, Walter). His propensity for witty play as an adult was no less frequent, but had a bit of refinement and polish that came with decades of practice. Gordon was well known for being a prankster. If a family member or friend noticed him from across the room with that telltale twinkle in his eyes, he knew something was up. They were all laughing quietly as they watched the events unfold while enjoying a bit of temporary relief knowing that they were (apparently) not at the center of his current shenanigans. People naturally gravitated towards Gordon. He showed a genuine interest in the lives of others and treated everyone with respect. He was a man of integrity who often said that the value of a person is not measured by his assets but rather by the character of his soul. He loved his family beyond measure and was infinitely loved in return. He is survived by his beloved wife Clara; his son Mike Harde and his wife Kara Spragg; his daughter Caryn Burwood and her husband Tim; granddaughter Jamie Burwood and husband Adam Vachon; grandson Derek Harde and wife Laurence B. Violette; Darlene Norris and her husband John; sisters-in-law Carol Jean Harde and Pamela Kozy and husband Raymond; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins ​​and dear friends. A Spring Funeral Service with Military Honors will be held Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. Arrangements are entrusted to Plummer’s Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant Street, Augustus. Special memories, condolences and wishes for the family may be shared on the funeral home’s website at: http://www.plummerfh.com.Memorial contributions in Gordon’s name can be made to: Travis Mills Foundation, 747 Western Ave., Suite 1, Manchester, ME 04351 or Hospice Volunteers of Waterville Area, 304 Main St., Waterville, ME 04901.

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