Raymond Thomas HAYDEN Jr.

HAYDEN, Raymond Thomas Jr.


Raymond Thomas Hayden, Jr., son of Raymond Thomas and Mary Murphey Hayden, of Wethersfield, died on April 25, 2013, with the love of his family by his side. He leaves his son, Raymond Joseph of Rocky Hill, daughter Ann Pavano and son-in-law Dr. Joseph Pavano of Avon, daughter Dr. Kathleen Hayden of Durham, NC, and his dog Holly. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Carroll Hayden, his son, Lawrence Patrick Hayden, his brothers, John and Bernard Hayden, and his sister, Mary Sullivan. He leaves his brother, Tommy Hayden, of Wethersfield, and three grandsons, Ryan, Colin, and Jack Pavano of Avon. Ray -"Uncle Bunny" will be missed by many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Ray was a teacher, a singer, a swimmer, and a handyman. As a young man, he entered St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. He continued his studies at St. Bernard Seminary, Rochester, NY, and received a Bachelor's degree in Theology. Ray served his country as an assistant Chaplain in the Air Force during the Korean War. Later, he undertook graduate studies at Trinity College, the University of Connecticut, the University of Hartford, Fairfield University, and Sacred Heart University. Ray began his teaching career at the Robinson School in West Hartford, where he taught French and physics. For the next 30 years, he taught in New Britain, first as a teacher of English, Latin, and French at Roosevelt Middle School in New Britain; and then as a teacher of English, French, Latin, and English as a second language at New Britain High School. Ray had a beautiful singing voice and he loved to sing old Irish ballads and opera music. He frequently could be found with a microphone in his hand, singing to a rapt audience at the Irish American Club in Glastonbury. True to his Irish heritage, he would often bring his audience to tears. Ray loved to swim and on any given summer day, he could be seen doing the backstroke along the shores of Black Point Beach Club. Among his many talents, Ray could build or fix anything. He and his good friend Andy Petruska spent many summers painting houses as the "Nutmeg Painters." He was often called upon by friends and neighbors for small home repairs or to fix appliances. He was known for keeping his cars running far beyond their reasonable life. The family was still driving cars from the 1960's well into the 1980's. Ray and his wife, Pat were avid readers and patrons of the theater. They frequently held season tickets to the Goodspeed Opera House and the Eugene O'Neil Theater. In their retirement, they traveled throughout the United States and Europe and enjoyed the company of their beloved dogs, Molly and Holly.
Calling hours will be held at Farley Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield on Monday, April 29 from 5-7 p.m. The funeral procession will assemble at Farley Sullivan at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Elizabeth Seaton Church, 280 Brook St., Rocky Hill at 10 a.m. Burial will follow the Mass in Rose Hill Cemetery, 580 Elm St., Rocky Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Patricia Carroll Hayden Scholarship Fund at the Yeats Society, Hyde Bridge, Sligo, Ireland (www.Yeats-Sligo.com) or to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org). To extend online condolences or for further information, please visit farleysullivan.com.