Donald Carr Nelthropp, aka Hardy, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, March 15, 2025. 

Arriving during the “hard times” of the Depression, he was given the nickname Hardy, which stayed with him for life.

He was born on January 12, 1931 to Beatrice (Meyer) and Henry Christian Nelthropp. The youngest of eight children, he grew up at Estate Granard on the South Shore of St. Croix.

After high school, Hardy briefly left St. Croix to attend the University of Portland, where he obtained an engineering degree. While stateside, he met the love of his life, Joyce Cawthorn, and they were married in 1954 in Portland before returning to St. Croix.

In 1959, Hardy was recruited to work for the rum distillery that would later become Cruzan Rum. In 1982, he succeeded his brother Ceddie as president, guiding the distillery through a period of remarkable growth. Under his leadership, production soared from 3.4 to 8.4 million gallons by his retirement in 2007, securing Cruzan Rum’s place in the rum industry.

He was also responsible for bringing back over two billion dollars in rum taxes to the Virgin Islands Government, thereby, strengthening the island’s economy.

Hardy dedicated himself to the rum distillery, but his commitment went beyond business — he was deeply invested in the well-being of the Virgin Islands and its people. He lived by a simple philosophy: “Never do anything to hurt the Virgin Islands. If you have to choose between the good of the company and that of the Virgin Islands, always put the good of the Virgin Islands first.” 

His dedication earned him the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor in 2007.

Above all else, Hardy’s greatest devotion was to his family. As a sibling, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he provided unwavering support and care to those he loved.

He is survived by his three children: Donnie and his wife Charleen, Gary and his wife Cheryl, and Karen; his five grandchildren: Carly and her husband Craig, Jennifer and her husband Greg, Thorn, Chelsea and her husband Michael, and Sean; and his two great-grandchildren: Beatrice and Maeve. Also, by his sister-in-law, Rikki.

He is pre-deceased by his parents; his wife, Joyce; his five brothers: Bertie, Ben, Ceddie, Henry and Douglas; and his two sisters: Helen and Alice B.

A celebration of Hardy’s life will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Christiansted on June 19, 2025 at 2pm.