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Shawn Hayden - Class of 1974

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 21/Nov/2016
97.117.186.5

    Shawn Joseph Hayden, “Lucky” age 60, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2016 at the UVM Medical Center after an amazingly courageous battle with cancer. Shawn was born on October 27, 1956 in Newburgh, New York to John and Elaine “Kiki” (Devasto) Hayden. He graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and Johnson State College. Shawn met his wife, Dorothy, while attending Johnson State College and they married in 1987 in Hinesburg, Vermont, where their three beautiful children were born. In 1993, the family moved to Stowe where they settled and made their home. Shawn began his career at BioTek Instruments as their North American Sales Manager, and in 1993, started his own business, Mad River Medical. Most recently, he was employed with GCX Medical Mounting Solutions out of California. Shawn loved his work, and enjoyed the many people with and for whom he worked over the years, so much so, that they became a large extended family to him. While his first and foremost love was for his wife, children, and family, Shawn’s love for sports followed a close second. Specifically, his passion for rugby spanned a 39 year-long playing run. While he played for many clubs, his heart was with the Mad River-Stowe Rugby Club, which he helped found, and served as President for many years. Since his retirement from the sport, Shawn carried his love for it onto the sidelines where he was known to strongly verbalize his commitment to the rules of the game. Shawn, an avid skier, skied daily throughout the years at Stowe Mountain Resort with many of the regulars, and felt fortunate to have been able to make ski trips all over the world. Most recently, he and his son, Jack, joined some of his GCX family for a heli-skiing trip in the Ruby Mountains. He passed on his love for skiing to all three of his children, who still enjoy the sport regularly. He was also very proud to have his skiing career recognized this past year when he was inducted into the Johnson State College Hall of Fame. Much to the chagrin of his Massachusetts native wife, Shawn absolutely loved the New York Yankees. He also loved college football, specifically the Army Black Knights and the Minnesota Golden Gophers; the Vermont Lake Monsters; and collecting baseball hats of all kind. Shawn loved life, and loved spending time with his family and friends. This love of life was most apparent during his long battle with cancer, where his inner strength and resilience shined. Shawn is survived by his three beautiful children, Molly, Jack, and Courtney, of whom he was extremely proud; his strong, loving wife of 29 years, Dot; his wonderful mother Kiki; and his lifelong family friend, Melissa Hodgson; along with several nieces and nephews and in-laws. He also leaves behind his Mad River-Stowe rugby family, who meant so much to him, and his many other very good friends. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2016 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at the Faith Funeral Home in Morrisville, Vermont. The Funeral Service will be held Monday, November 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Blessed Sacrament in Stowe, Vermont. A Memorial Service with Father Bill Scafidi will be held in Newburgh, New York at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the “Return to Glory Campaign” to restart the Johnson State College Men’s and Women’s Alpine Ski Program: Return to Glory Campaign, JSC, 337 College Hill, Johnson, Vermont 05656 or by going to www.jsc.edu/give-to-jsc/make a donation. Contributions may also be made in Shawn’s memory to the charity of your choice.   October 27, 1956 – November 20, 2016

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