Milford Alderman Marty Hardiman Passes Away

MILFORD, CT — Many in Milford are mourning after longtime Milford volunteer and Board of Alderman member Martin "Marty" Hardiman, 74, passed away Saturday, March 5.

Hardiman spent 41 of his 49 years in Milford as either an elected or appointed board member, including 18 years as an alderman.

He also was the co-founder and past president and vice president of the Irish Heritage Society of Milford, according to his obituary. He was the chairman of the city's Saint Patrick's Day Parade committee for 30 years.

Monday's Board of Aldermen meeting was somber as officials recalled Hardiman's tremendous public service to the city over the years. The meeting is the last one before the city's Saint Patrick's Day parade, and Hardiman would typically give his report that the parade was ready to go.

"Usually at this time I introduce Alderman Marty Hardiman, Mr. Saint Patrick," Alderman Chairman Philip Vetro said. "We will all have him in our hearts this Saint Patrick's Day parade."

Mayor Ben Blake recalled that he and Hardiman were elected to the Board of Aldermen nearly 20 years ago together and that he was liked by all members of the board. Hardiman and his wife Linda were the driving forces behind the parade for 30 years, Blake said.

"The parade is certainly a tribute to Marty and his work over the past 30 years as the chair of that parade," he said.

Hardiman was a retired Milford Public Schools paraprofessional and more recently served as a crossing guard at Pumpkin Delight School.

Hardiman was the husband of Linda Hardiman for 47 years. Funeral services will be held March 11 at St. Gabriel's Church in Milford.