Patrick Hayward
Croydon, NH – Patrick P. Hayward, 71, of Reeds Mill Road, died Sunday, March 8, 2026 at his home.
He was born in Newport, NH on October 26, 1954 the son of the late Earl J. and Eleanor L. (Goings) Hayward, Jr.
Patrick was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Brewster Academy in 1974. While at Brewster he played soccer, his favorite sport along with other sports. He went to Ireland and Scotland for soccer where he played with Pele’. He was going to play professional soccer but got a career ending injury. He wanted his daughters to play soccer so bad. He got his wish when his daughters helped to start the Sunapee girls soccer team. His grandchildren have also enjoyed the game of soccer and he enjoyed watching them play the game he loved.
After high school, he went to Southern New Hampshire University for a few years and then went to work for the family garage businesses and then for Hayward Refrigeration until 2005 when the business closed. He retired shortly after that and started Santa’s Junk shop where he bought and sold items. He would play the role of Santa’s helper during the holiday seasons and enjoyed bringing the Christmas spirit to anyone he met. Christmas was his favorite holiday. He then went to work for the Newport School District to drive school bus where he obtained his CDL license at the age of 69.
He was an avid snow and water skier and taught himself how to barefoot water ski. He loved all sports, collecting baseball cards, deer hunting, lighthouses, the ocean and field trialing his beagles. Most especially, he loved his family and was very proud of each and every one of them.
He had been a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in New London, a member of RSES and ASHRAE for heating/air conditioning/refrigeration and electrical. He was a member of the Croydon Grange and then the Park Grange for many years. He was also a member of the King Solomon Masonic Lodge and had received his 40 year pin from the Hiram Masonic Lodge #9 in Claremont this past year. He was a Mason for over 47 years.
He is predeceased by his parents and a brother, Dennis. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Roberta “Betty” (Adams) Hayward and they were married on Oct. 2, 1976; two daughters, Heidi (Caleb) Godwin of Newport, NH and Heather (Dana) Smith of Sunapee, NH; four grandchildren, LCpl Colton Godwin, USMC, Jayden Godwin, Brynn Smith and Dylan Smith; a brother, Michael (Alison) Hayward of Calais, ME; nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Chadwick Funeral Home, 235 Main Street, New London, NH.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Willey Perra Christmas Giving Program, at Sugar River Bank, Attn: B. Hamel, PO Box 569, Newport, NH 03773
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