Forgemasters falls silent with moving guard of honour to mark sad death of beloved colleague Dean Hardy
“He’s a big part of Sheffield’s industrial history”
Forgemasters fell silent today to honour the life of a beloved colleague who passed away aged 58.
With strong family ties to the firm, and a service record spanning 37 years, Dean Hardy is likely to be long remembered for his valuable and storied contribution to Forgemasters.
The life-long Blade sadly died just months after retiring, and leaves behind wife Helen, and children Louise and Damien.
But those at Forgemasters have ensured that Dean’s life and service will be remembered.
Not only did the heavy engineering firm take the unprecedented step of turning off its machines as a sign of respect, but his colleagues lined the streets outside in a moving guard of honour as his funeral cortege passed by this morning.
“I think he would be overwhelmed if he could see just how many people have come out for him,” said Adam Stocks, who was taken under Dean’s wing as a bright-eyed apprentice 15 years ago.
“In the years I’ve been here, this is the first time they’ve turned off the machines for someone. We’re a 24/7 operation, but they’ve turned them off from 10 o’clock to 5 o’clock for Dean.”
Adam says Dean’s funeral at Grenoside Crematorium was the biggest he has ever seen, with large numbers also turning out for his wake at the Devonshire Arms.
Described as a “stern but fair” mentor, Dean was instrumental in teaching the next generation of Forgemasters’ crane drivers.
“He’s a big part of Sheffield’s industrial history,” said Adam.
“He was a very clever man, a wise man who trained generations of young ‘uns.”
His storied history with the firm extended to his own family too, with Dean, a passionate stock car racing fan, following in the footsteps of his dad who also worked as a crane driver at Forgemasters for 40 years.
Other Hardys, including Dean’s uncles and cousins, have also worked there, helping to forge an ongoing connection with the family which has continued for generations.