Joseph N. Hayden Sr.

Joseph Noah Hayden Sr.
1923 - 2015
MADISON - Joseph Noah Hayden Sr., 92, "Joe, Dad, Grampy or Great Grampy," passed away peacefully on April 19, 2015. Joe resided in Madison, where he raised his family with his wife Theresa (Gallant). Born on Jan. 22, 1923, in Skowhegan, he was the son of Richard and Marion (Demo) Hayden.
He married Theresa (Gallant) on Oct. 4, 1952, at Notre Dame De Lourdes in Skowhegan. Theresa passed away on April 27, 1981. They had five children: Patricia Marie (died at birth), Karen (Hayden) Dunn and her husband Gerald Dunn of Skowhegan, Joseph Hayden Jr. and his wife Kathy of Madison, Allen Hayden and his wife Annette of Bangor, and Gregory Hayden and his wife Karen of Skowhegan.
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren: Tyler Dunn and his wife Adrienne, their children Lillian and Madeline, Ashley (Hayden) Rand and her husband Cam, their children Brayden and Norah, Russell Dunn, Alissa Hayden, Jessica Hayden, Matthew Dunn and his wife Amy, Theresa Hayden, Alec Hayden, Joseph Hayden, III and Christopher Hayden.
Joe and Theresa bought a small farm in Madison in 1956. There they raised their family. Joe always had animals and farmed along with working full time for over 40 years at Agway in Skowhegan (prev. Eastern States). He attended school until the eighth grade when he began his lifelong hobby: work. Joe was always busy "puttering" as he put it, at something. He did not look at it as work but as being busy which made him happy. One the few times he could be found sitting was when he was playing cards or dice with Dot (Dorothy Garrett, now deceased), his companion for 25 years, and with his sisters. It was here he often practiced his second hobby which apparently he had been doing for a very long time, teasing his sisters. He continued his education when his family was young by getting a GED and training as an accountant and also as an EMT. He used these and other skills to hold the many part time jobs needed to support his family. Joe was known as hard working, reliable, knowledgeable, trustworthy and friendly.
In his retirement years, he continued to keep busy, helping all of his children in way he could. He built many, many fine pieces of furniture in his woodworking shop, which he gave to family and, on occasion, sold hardly covering the cost of materials. Joe loved to dance the "two step" in particular and, after Theresa passed away, would travel to the Rumford/Dixfield area to attend dances, where according to rumor he was thought to be quite the catch. It was there he met his companion of the next 25 years, one Dot (Dorothy) Garrett. They liked to go dancing or play highly competitive games of cards or dice which neither of them ever "lost" but only allowed the other to win! Joe would stop his puttering for one other very special thing: family events, especially those of his grandchildren. Joe never missed the chance to wish them another year of happiness or watch them perform or compete and let them know he was proud of them and that he was their biggest fan.
The family would like to extend their overwhelming gratitude to the Hospice Care providers that made Dad's last few weeks as comfortable and pleasant as possible. This is a wonderful organization of caring professionals that we would not have been able to do without.
Dad, you are greatly loved and missed.
Visiting hours will be held Friday, April 24, from 6-8 p.m. at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, April 25, at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church in Skowhegan. A gathering will be held following services in the school basement next to the church.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his name to:
Maine General Home Care
& Hospice
10 Water Street
Waterville, Maine 04901