Fallen Burton firefighter Hardy to be laid to rest today
Several stories have drifted Harry Rountree's way during the past couple weeks as Burton Fire District remembered one of its own.
Some stories Rountree thinks he probably should not have heard as Burton's fire chief, he said jokingly Wednesday. But the tales shed light on the personality and sense of humor of firefighter Stuart Hardy, who died last week and will be remembered today before he is buried in Beaufort National Cemetery.
"Stuart was extremely likable," Rountree said at the district's station on Burton Hill Road.
Funeral services for Hardy are open to the public and will be held 11 a.m. at Praise Assembly of God on Parris Island Gateway. Hardy will be buried in Beaufort National Cemetery with military and emergency services honors.
A processional will follow the funeral and is expected to include numerous fire and emergency personnel. The route to Beaufort National Cemetery will go down Parris Island Gateway and right onto Robert Smalls to Highway 21. A ladder truck will display a flag over the route on Robert Smalls near its intersection with 21.
Hardy died Sept. 24 after suffering a medical event on a truck responding to a call Sept. 13. Results of a medical autopsy and a cause of death are not yet available, Rountree said.
Gov. Nikki Haley has ordered flags be flown at half-staff Thursday in Hardy's memory.
Hardy's fellow firefighters have noted his sense of humor but also a fierce dedication to the job.
Firefighter Rafael Nepaulsingh was hired by the district the same time as Hardy. The men attended the S.C. Fire Academy at the same time and trained together.
Nepaulsingh said they were among about 15 or 20 guys competing for a job at the Burton department.
The work included a written exam, physical fitness test and exercises wearing a weighted vests, dragging weighted dummies and raising ladders.
"He was the man to beat," Nepaulsingh said. "You could just tell he was a step above everyone else."
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR STUART HARDY
What: Funeral services, processional and burial for Burton firefighter Stuart Hardy
When: Thursday, 11 a.m. Motorists should expect road closures and traffic delays during the processional, which is expected to begin about noon Thursday.
Where: Funeral at Praise Assembly of God, Parris Island Gateway; Burial in Beaufort National Cemetery
Video: Praise Assembly will offer live streaming of the service on its website at praiseassembly.churchonline.org and its Android app found by searching "Praise AG."
Follow reporter Stephen Fastenau at twitter.com/IPBG_Stephen.
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This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 9:26 AM with the headline "Fallen Burton firefighter Hardy to be laid to rest today."