Edgar Anthony (Tony) Harder, 66, of Old Saybrook, died at home on May 16.  He was the husband of 42 years to the late Sandra J. (Robinson) Harder.  Tony was born in Bonifay, Florida, in August 1945, son of Frances Harder and the late Edwin Harder. He was raised in Ware, Massachusetts, and graduated from Ware High School. He went on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 to 1969. While at Da Nang Air Base in Vietnam, he rose to the ranks of crew chief and staff sergeant of the 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. Upon his return, he resumed his education, earning a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

He and his wife Sandy were married in 1969 and settled in Old Saybrook in 1974 where they raised four children.

Tony had a lifelong passion for engines and mechanics. He worked in aircraft engine overhaul and repair for Pratt & Whitney for over 30 years and more recently for General Electric and AGC, a career that allowed him to travel the world, including trips to Denmark, England, Germany, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. He was also a co-owner of Saybrook Lawn and Power Equipment for many years.

Tony faithfully served on numerous committees as an active member of the First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook and was a past member of the Republican Town Committee. He enjoyed extensive travels with his wife and family across the United States and to Europe, as well as building intricate model airplanes, working on classic cars, participating in car shows, and fixing anything and everything.

Whether remembered cruising around in his painstakingly custom restored 1960 Corvette, fixing a neighbor’s lawnmower, or walking hand in hand with his grandchildren to the park, Tony was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Besides his mother, Tony is survived by his loving children, Robin and her husband German Dziebel of Rye, New York, Hilary and her husband Andrew Hurdis of Ivoryton, Jill and her husband Theodore Hartenstein of Old Saybrook, and Jeffrey and his wife Siobhan Harder of Osterville, Massachusetts. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Elliott and Clara Hurdis and Alexandra Dziebel; his sisters, Constance Robinson, Janet Giza, Judith Vadnais, Joy Harder, Eileen Tucker, and Christina Shea; and his extended family, including numerous nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, May 20, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Rd., Old Saybrook. A memorial service will be held at the First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook on Monday, May 21, at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the First Church of Christ (to go to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen, Heat and Eat, and the Youth and Family Services’ family of the month), or to the Old Saybrook Education Foundation. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com  to leave an online condolence or tribute.