Pearl R. Hazard, of Ovid, passed away at home after a very brief illness on Thursday, March 10, 2011 at the age of 102.

Pearl was born on April 8, 1908 in Avoca, New York, a son of the late Frances and Cora (Tailby) Hazard. Following graduation from Interlaken High School in 1926, he went to electrician school in Chicago. In addition to retiring from Sampson State Hospital Maintenance Department in 1972, Pearl worked as a mechanic in several different garages in the Ovid, Lodi, and Trumansburg areas, and also owned and operated the West Side Garage in Lodi.

Pearl was a jack of all trades. Along with being a mechanic, he was a gunsmith and machinist. Pearl used his gunsmith skills to re-create several ceremonial hand cannons from the Civil War Era. He collected different types and styles of guns throughout his entire life. Pearl was a member of the Sons of Union Veteran’s Caywood Camp in Ovid, serving as an officer for several years. He was an aviation and steam train enthusiast. He and his wife, Alice, enjoyed traveling around to ride steam trains, often taking other family members along on their journey. Pearl was an avid birdwatcher and enjoyed hunting. At 100, Pearl still mowed his own lawn. Pearl’s strong spirit, quick humor, and sharp mind will always be remembered and were present until the day he died.

Pearl is survived by his wife of 45 years, Alice Harvey Hazard of Ovid; two sons, Roger (Roseanne) Hazard of Webster and Richard Hazard of Canandaigua; three daughters, Phyllis Goodman of Palmyra, PA, Barbara (Bill Lange) Hazard of Interlaken, and Patricia Bennett of Canandaigua; two step-sons, David Herrala of Interlaken and Gary Herrala of Interlaken; 12 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; several great-great grandchildren; and two great-great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a brother, Forest Hazard; and a sister, Marian Poffenberger.

In keeping with Pearl’s wishes, there will be no services.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Pearl’s memory to kindly consider Lifetime Care Hospice, 513 W. Union St, Newark , NY 14513, Beverly Animal Shelter, 50 East River Road, Waterloo, NY 13165, or the Sons of Union Veterans, David G. Caywood Camp #146, 19 McCarty Street, Candor, NY 13743.