Hundreds gathered at Petco Park Saturday to honor San Diego businessman Mike “Bossman” Hardin, owner of the iconic Ocean Beach burger joint, Hodad’s.
A “Celebration of Life” event was held at Petco Park’s Park in the Park in downtown San Diego from 11:11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Hardin – also known as the “unofficial mayor of Ocean Beach” – died of natural causes last month at a Holiday Inn in Chowchilla, California. Officials later confirmed a heart attack led to his passing.
Many that attended the memorial said they had been profoundly moved by Hardin’s generosity.
Attendee Todd Byrd said he first met Mike when he was a kid.
“I used to sweep the patio for fries when I was a kid and then fast forward twenty years later and he hired me when no one else would give me a job and I worked for him for years,” said Byrd.
Hardin's kindness was what those attending the memorial and those speaking at the memorial recalled most.
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“There are a lot of us here in the crowd that have the same story,” said Byrd. “He gave jobs to people that no one else was really hiring. He was a good guy and he gave back to the community. He’ll be missed.”
San Diegans mourned Hardin’s death, leaving flowers at a makeshift memorial in front of Hodad’s in Ocean Beach last month and posting hundreds of messages online and on NBC 7’s Facebook page.
Others, such as Nick Gray, first met Hardin when they sat down to eat one of his burgers at the iconic Ocean Beach location.
Gray first started eating there 20 years ago and kept coming back, becoming a regular. During that time, he said, got to know Hardin.
“I’ve watched him help guys through college, and give them a steady job, give them a second chances a couple of times and he’s just always just been a steady, dependable guy,” said Gray.
John Owen, a Navy Chaplain and speaker at the memorial, said Hardin gave back to his community and to the armed forces plenty during his time.
“I consider it one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life to be able to consider Mike a friend,” said Owen.
The crowds gathered on the grass, some sitting cross-legged and others sitting on chairs set out, to listen to the speakers and watch a slideshow of photos from Hardin’s past. The memorial included a special video tribute, musical performances and presentations from Hardin’s loved ones.
Gray said that if Hardin were here today, he would have wanted the people attending to enjoy themselves.
“Look around, at all the different people you can see here today,” Gray said. “That’s what Mike was all about.”
Hardin, who lived in San Diego from 1960 until his passing, took over Hodad’s in the 1980s from his parents. He later expanded the OB burger joint to a second location in downtown San Diego and a third in Petco Park.
Both Hardin and Hodad’s were featured on the popular TV show, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” hosted by Guy Fieri.
