DALTON, Mass. — James Edgar "Pete" Bardin, 84, of 1190 North St., died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, at Berkshire Medical Center.
Born on the family dairy farm in Dalton on Nov. 12, 1922, son of James and Mary Evans Bardin, he graduated from the former Dalton High School. His family settled in Dalton in 1748 and, in 1992, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts presented him with a plaque recognizing the farm as one of the longest operating in the state.
Along with working the farm, Mr. Bardin was employed by Messenger's Garage in Dalton selling Ford tractors. In 1948, along with a co-worker, William Streibel, he formed Dalton Tractor & Equipment Co. Inc. in one of the family's barns. In 1956, they expanded and moved to their current location on North Street, where Mr. Bardin greeted customers and answered phones until the time of his death. A customer once paid a bill with some Herefords, which led Pete to, once again, do what he loved: raise animals.
He was co-director and co-chairman of the Bicentennial Committee and helped establish Dalton's Light Up the Holidays event. He served for many years as an officer of the Middlefield Fair, where he worked the gates, and was a trustee of the Eastern States Exposition.
He and his wife, the former Ellen Isham, were married Dec. 21, 1946. She died May 23, 2003.
He leaves a son, Peter I. Bardin of Dalton, and three grandchildren.
FUNERAL NOTICE — A memorial service for James "Pete" Bardin, who died Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007, will be held at a time and date to be announced; there will be no calling hours. Burial in Main Street Cemetery, Dalton, will follow cremation. Donations may be made in Mr. Bardin's memory to the Dalton Ambulance Fund, 4 Flansburg Ave., Dalton. BARTLETT-WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 525 Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
He was known to his friends as "Pete," a nickname given to him by his sisters. A strong land preservationist, much of his life was dedicated to the local agriculture community. He and Fred Crane worked diligently with the state to place their land under the American Preservation Act. He loved the land and planting corn and could most likely be found harvesting hay.
