Edward S. Hayden

Waterford - Edward S. Hayden, 84, went to his final rest on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, at home, with family around him.

Ed was born in Norwich at the family home on Dec. 1, 1926. He was the fourth child and second son of Luman Hunter Hayden and Martha Alice (Marshall) Hayden Fagan.

He joined the Navy after graduating from Norwich Free Academy in 1944, and was honorably discharged in 1946.

He married Veronica Reta Brooks on Jan. 10, 1948, and they had seven surviving children, Robert Edward and partner, Carole Zambito, James Edward, Gerald Edward, Christine Anne, Patricia Marie, Kathleen Teresa, and Michael Edward and his partner, Brenda Holland.

On Sept. 26, 1987, he married Janet Reeve Stewart adding five stepsons and their families to his family, Frank and Debbie Stewart, David and Rebecca Stewart, Alan and Andrea Stewart, Thomas Stewart and Kevin Stewart, who also survive him. Within his joined family he currently has 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He has two surviving sisters, Doris Hutchins and Charlotte Marianni and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sisters and a brother, Lois Rushing, Gladys Pollock, and Kenneth Hayden.

Ed was a retired building contractor for over 35 years, taking great pleasure in building reasonably priced starter homes for young families. He also built a Rectory, Middle School, Convent and Chapel for the Diocese of Norwich and served as building inspector for several high schools. He culminated his career by creating a housing development in Oakdale. After retiring in 1988, he volunteered much of his time with Habitat for Humanity.

He loved sports and was involved with several local teams and volunteered with Little League and the Boy Scouts. The sport he loved competing in and promoting most was canoe poling, as a member of the American Canoe Association. In this sport, he stood in his canoe and pushed it with a 12 foot aluminum pole up and downstream in Class II whitewater, competing with men 20 years or more his junior. He designed several racing canoes used in the sport. He won many trophies and received recognition by local and national canoe associations for his devotion to the sport and for promoting and teaching the skills. On Nov. 6, 2010, he was presented the American Canoe Association's highest award, the President's Award, for his contribution to the sport of canoe poling.

He has made it known that he had a great life and had done most of what he wanted to do. His last wish is that those who love him celebrate the time they have in this life. He has been a strong, positive presence with all who have known him, and he will be sorely missed.

There are no calling hours, and burial will be private. A Memorial Mass and reception will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at St. Agnes Church in Niantic.

Memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 377 Broadway, New London CT 06320 or St Agnes Church, 22 Haigh Ave., Niantic CT 06357.