In Memory of Thomas "Tom" G. Hardy

April 15, 1937 - April 5, 2025 I can only smile when I think of my friend Tom Hardy. He was the nicest person I knew. For so many years I joined him, Haig Avedesian and assorted friends at Haig’s table in our Birmingham Place building’s fine dining facility aka, “Toss Ups.” Why Toss Ups? Because Tom wanted the owner, Kevin. to succeed and admired his hard work and care for his family. And Haig who would stare down any poor person who dared sit at “his” table before he arrived, and who could be, well, a little crotchety—Tom knew how much he appreciated his company. Eventually, to save the peace, Kevin put a “reserve” sign on Haig’s table. In our little “Cheers,” Tom was everybody’s friend. No one walked in without hearing a kind word from him. I’m smiling, just thinking about our many wonderful lunches. In conversation after conversation, Tom was always asking about the other person. How are you? How’s your (wife—daughter—son,) with complete sincerity. He made everyone feel good. Tom never put himself up as the center, but because of his caring and decency he was the center for so many of us who were lucky to have him as a friend. Being around Tom was being surrounded by a daily dose of sunshine. Among lawyers no one was better liked or more highly respected. His word was gold among all of us who knew him. We would talk about fees and Tom always emphasized keeping them low so that real people could afford him. For him, law was his way of helping people when they needed help the most. I represented a real character of a client in a criminal matter. Later I referred him to Tom for his civil problems. That he continued to speak to me was a blessing. Many years later, I found out that not only did Tom help him with his legal problems, but that he also “loaned” him money. Tom saw the good in him and could not let him fail. Tom was never meant to be a big firm lawyer worrying about billable hours. Tom was a model of the best of lawyering—tremendous skill, matched by genuine caring. He practiced law his way and it was the right way. After “Toss Ups” closed, whenever we went to lunch along Woodward, an owner, waiter or busboy would greet Tom with such happiness. He had a kind word for each of them, and they had a kind word and smile for him. Yes, he was a good tipper and taught me that the tip should have nothing to do with the cost of the inexpensive lunch. He knew that the extra dollars meant much more to the waiter or busboy and at times left bigger tips than our lunch bill. Typical Tom, caring about other people and recognizing their struggles in life. Thomas Hardy was a model of how to be a good human being. Blessed by our many years of friendship. Marty Reisig April 11, 2025.