November 14, 1938 - February 11, 2025
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of Cameron Owen Hayward, born in Toronto, Ontario, November 14, 1938 and passed away at home February 11, 2025 at the age of 86.
Cam was a devoted husband to Irene Ann (nee Rozak) for 55 years, loving father to Brian Hayward and Marlene Leach (Brodie, grandchildren Daralyn and Hayden), brother to Judy Currier (Donald, and family members) of Melbourne, FLA, brother to Gail Stell (and family members) of Mt. Kisco, NY, and brother-in-law to Lorne Rozak (Vicky, children Lisa and Michael) of Ontario. Cam was pre-deceased by his beloved mother in-law,Marie Rozak, his beloved mother, Laurell Haywar (nee Cornish), father, Herbert Hayward and many aunts, uncles, and cousins who were very dear to him. Even though they lived far apart, Cam and his sisters always kept in touch over the years, by mail, phone, or travel. Cam was a proud Grandpa and greatly loved his grandchildren, Daralyn Leach and Hayden Leach.
Cam joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1956 at age 17. Cam and Irene met in Toronto and married in 1969 while Cam was in the Air Force and Irene worked at the Royal Bank of Canada. Soon after, Brian and Marlene were born while stationed in Moosonee, Ontario. In 1976, while stationed in North Bay, Ontario, Cam happily accepted a posting to the beautiful Comox Valley, where Cam and Irene eventually decided to stay and raise their family. Cam cherished the friends and family he grew up with in Toronto, the friends he made during his Canadian Armed Forces career: (Navy 1956-1961), Air Force (1961-1980), Public Service (1980-1998) and his comrades at the Comox Legion. Cam's career took him to Scotland and England for three years working on submarines with the Royal British Navy (1958-1961). He also served two six-month postings in Alert, NWT (now Nunavut) in the mid 1970s, a six-month peace-keeping mission in Cairo, Egypt in 1979 (also visiting Israel and Syria at that time), and maintenance work trips to Holberg, Vancouver Island. Cam was very social and had many stories and jokes to share. Although Cam struggled with complicated health issues in his later years, he had a very strong will to live and overcame some critical illnesses.
Thank you to dear family and friends, employers, Dr. Nancy McFadden, health specialists, the staff at Comox Valley Hospital (section 3D), his wonderful neighbors, and community and business members that expressed love, care, compassion, and support to Cam and his family over the years and up to the end. Cam, dad, Grandpa, we will miss you so much, but will forever cherish the many precious memories and love you gave to all of us. In memory of Cam, please enjoy a game of cards or cribbage with family and friends. A small gathering will take place at a future date.
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