JOHN HARDING Obituary

JOHN J. HARDING, JR. "A LIGHT WENT OUT THE OTHER DAY" Joe Harding, officially John J. Harding Jr., left us peacefully on July 24, 2023. Anyone who knew Joe could not escape a smile or a laugh. Often politically incorrect, quite often crude, but, above all, always somehow funny. From his earliest days, he was larger than life, a daredevil at heart. If a sign said "don't jump", he jumped. Once, when his mother was heading home, an ambulance passed by, and she expressed relief that her son was safely at home doing homework. Of course, it was Joe in the ambulance. When statehood came to Hawaii and the whole town was celebrating, the family was watching TV when the cameras panned over to a pickup truck with three or four young males in the back, mooning the crowd. Joe was one of them. For all this behavior, there was always a price and he paid it gladly. And we loved him for it. He entertained us all, and no family event or gathering of friends was complete without his presence. Joe's achievements were unconventional. He cared nothing for scholastic degrees. He didn't fit into that mold and held the distinction of being an alumnus of four different high schools, who, as he put it, each, in turn, simply "lost their sense of humor" regarding his enrollment. Yet he worked his way up through the John J Harding Co until he became the President, and a leader in the field of specialty electronics installers in Hawaii. Before that, in the sixties, he sold insurance policies in the Bay Area, in particular to budding vocalist Janice Joplin and her gang (which was a hard sell to the main office back East), with a brief stint at door-to-door carpet sales. As usual, he found humor in his work (including an unfortunate carpet burning incident during an in-home 'fire-retardant carpet' demonstration). Joe had fun with his comrades and was a regular at the Berkeley Police Department due to his never-ending pranks that required his sister to have a bail fund at all times. But even the Berkeley PD appreciated and perhaps loved him. Back in Honolulu, in 1970, Joe ran for local office as the "Credible Candidate." His district was Nuuanu, Alewa Heights, Pauoa and Papakolea and his platform was the legalization of marijuana. He was ahead of his time He continued his involvement in the community and political landscape of Hawaii and served on the Neighborhood Boards in Nu'uanu-Punchbowl as well as Kailua. Despite all his physical challenges in recent years, Joe never tired of life. As 'Papa Smurf', he rejoiced in his grandchildren, Anela and Kainoa, and was proud 'Pops' to son John, 'P Smurf' to daughters Jennifer and Shannon, and simply 'Papa Joe' to his extended family of stepchildren and grandchildren, as well as their friends. Joe's home was always a welcoming haven to all of them, and politics and 'talk-story' were regular features at gatherings on his lanai. As Diane, his wife of 25 years, would say, "Being with Joe was like always being on vacation". There cannot ever be another Joe. His love of life and ability to find humor in any situation were unique. His mantra, often expressed to family and friends, was "We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time!" Stories of Joe's escapades and antics are legion, and even though he is no longer with us, just the mention of his name is enough to evoke a smile and a warm feeling that feels like an embrace. Up until the end, Joe read the obits every day, just to make sure he wasn't in there. Well, Joe, here you are now . A Hui Hou sweet Joe husband, father, mentor and friend, we will always love you and miss you, and never forget you. A Celebration of Joe's life will be held in September on "his lanai" in Kailua. Should anyone be moved to make a donation in his memory, the Downtown Exchange Club of Honolulu and the Outdoor Circle were very much a part of his world.