August 28, 2010, in his 90th year, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital after many years' triumph over cancer. Born in Lincoln Parish, December 22, 1920, he was the husband of A. Irene Hayward (née Kimball), and the son of the late Charles and Winifred (Gesner) Hayward. A naturally gifted carpenter, he worked with various companies in Markham, Ontario and Fredericton where he built a number of area homes. He was also a talented craftsman, creating furniture, clocks and various lathe-turned pieces. He retired in 1981 as Supervisor of Construction and Maintenance with Canada Agriculture (Agricultural Research Station, Fredericton), after 22 years of service. During this period he developed a number of innovations including a louvered green house ventilation system, which is now utilized throughout Canada, in the US, and the Netherlands among other nations. He served his country from 1940-45 as an infantryman with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, 3rd Division, sustaining grave wounds on four occasions while participating in numerous key campaigns, including the Battle of the Scheldt. In addition to a number of service medals, he was awarded the Carpiquet Commemorative Medal by citizens of France for his participation in Operation Epsom during the Normandy Invasion, as well as the Dover Front-Line Medal, awarded by the citizens of Dover, England for his participation in the discovery and disabling of the V-2 Rockets which had devastated southern England and a number of Belgian cities. He was a member of the Little Black Devils - the continuing cadre of soldiers and veterans affiliated with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and of the Royal Canadian Legion. In 1995, he was pleased to return to Apeldoorn, Netherlands, to participate with fellow veterans in festivities marking the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Holland in which he had taken part. He and his wife made several trips to Europe and the British Isles over the years, including those with family members to retrace his route during WW II, and to honour fallen comrades in various Canadian war cemeteries. He was also interested in family history, actively pursuing the genealogy of his paternal and maternal ancestors. An avid outdoorsman since his youth, he enjoyed fishing, canoeing, hunting, and camping, and was never happier than when trekking through the woods, including on his own land. He was a long-standing member of the Oromocto United Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Trustee. He was instrumental in building the later day church (now the Oromocto Funeral Home) including the baptismal and communion table. In more recent years he enjoyed the fellowship of friends at the Skyline Acres United Baptist Church. John's ultimate pride was his family, in partnership with Irene, his wife of 59 years. He took pride in the accomplishments of his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren and was both determined and joyful to have lived to welcome the birth of his first great grandchild. He is survived by his wife, and children, Katherine (and husband, Gary Waite), Lindsay (and wife, Shelley), Elizabeth, and David (and wife Jane); his granddaughters Jessica (and husband Nicholas Brown), and Eleanor, as well as his great-granddaughter, Callie E. E. Brown. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Jane (Willet) Hayward (the late Ralph), and Joyce (Kimball) Lewis (the late Donald) and her sons, Timothy D., and Robin K. Lewis, a grand nephew and grand niece, and a number of first and second cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Jean (Mills), his brother Ralph, and his nephew, James Marks. The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to the family members, faithful caregiver, Reta MacLean, friends, neighbours and colleagues who have provided comfort and support during this time. We are also grateful for the capable and caring service of Doctors Hickey and Shaheen, as well as the many nurses, LPNs and other staff of the DECH, whose efforts and caring made the toughest days easier. Per his wishes, anyone choosing to honour John's memory through a charitable donation may do so by giving to the Lower Lincoln Cemetery Association (c/o 60 Nevers Road, Lincoln, NB, E3B 8R9) or to the Fredericton Community Kitchen (65 Brunswick St., Fredericton, (506) 457-1788; http://www.frederictoncommunitykitchen.ca )
He is resting at McAdam's Funeral Home, 160 York St., Fredericton, where visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 1 from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #4 will hold a memorial tribute at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at the Skyline Acres United Baptist Church (135 Canterbury Drive, Fredericton) on Thursday, September 2 at 2:00 pm, Rev. Dr. Karl Csaszar officiating. There will be a reception following at the church. A burial service, attended by immediate family and relatives, will be held late in the afternoon. www.mcadamsfh.com