Former St. Charles East High School student and basketball star Justin Hardy has passed after a grueling 13-month battle with Stage 4 stomach cancer.
Hardy, who garnered national attention for his courageous fight against the dreaded disease, was 22 when he passed.
His father, Bob Hardy, released a statement announcing his death Sunday morning.
After 13 months of courageously redefining what it means to live with cancer, Justin passed peacefully early this morning, Sunday, May 29.
Hardy, a straight-A honors student at St. Charles East, attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he played basketball and graduated in three years, even as he underwent chemotherapy for stomach cancer.
Countless sports figures have been following Justin’s plight publicy, and the outpouring of grief was immediate.
ESPN Broadcast Dick Vitale, himself suffering from cancer:
“Last night I was so saddened to learn about the passing of JUSTIN HARDY a 22 year old from the University of Washington (St Louis. . We paid tribute to Justin at our past Gala as he could not be with us as he had been in hospice. Representing Justin was his college coach Pat Juckem who spoke about what an inspiration Justin was to so many. Justin inspired so many with his courageous battle vs Stage 4 stomach cancer. He didn’t let it stop him from playing during the entire year while fighting that dreaded disease…I had been texting the last month with Justin & he wanted so badly to be at our Gala but unfortunately it was impossible for him to make the trip . Our prayers go out to Justin’s Mom & Dad”
Hardy is survived by his parents; a sister, Jackie; a brother, Nathan; his paternal grandmother, Dawn Hardy; his two aunts, Nora Bushman and Julie Ellis; an uncle, Tony Ellis; and his cousins, Allie, Kelsea, Blake, Kira, Will and LuLu.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 2, from 2:00pm-8:00pm at Yurs Funeral Home, 1771 West State Street, Geneva. A legacy celebration will be Friday, June 3, from 1:00pm-2:30pm at St. Charles East High School – Main Gym, 1020 Dunham Road, St. Charles.
