Peter Hayden
New London — Peter Michael Hayden, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital on Thursday, June 21, 2018. Peter told his family and friends, “That with the support of my wife and help from the Lord, I am ready to go.”
Peter was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle. He was the husband of Doris Duke Hayden and the son of Helena (Shea) Hayden and James W. Hayden.
Peter grew up in Hartford and was a proud graduate of Hartford Public High School in 1955. Peter and his family survived the horrific Hartford circus fire in 1944. He was in the Army and stationed at Ramsomville, N.Y., from 1956 until 1958. He married Doris Duke in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1959 and returned home to Hartford. Peter was the first United Parcel driver in Hartford. Over the course of his working career he was also employed by The Hartford Electric Light Company, SCADD and Electric Boat, where he was a proud member of the IBEW.
After retirement, Peter spent many hours volunteering at the Gemma Moran Food Bank in New London and was a driver for the American Cancer Society.
Peter is survived by his wife, Doris; his sister, Peggy Kaplan of West Hartford and her husband, Marshall; his three daughters, Lynsey Teixeira of Norwich, Leigh Hayden of Middletown and Katie Pittarri and her husband, Anthony, of Queens, N.Y. He leaves behind his grandchildren, Thomas, Sam and Maddie Teixeira and Ann and Ava Pittarri. He is also survived by his nieces, Pamela Allen Liggett of Louisville, Ky., and Elizabeth Allen of East Lyme.
The Hayden family would like to extend its sincere appreciation and thanks for the wonderful, compassionate care Peter received by everyone at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital and their Hospice team.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 27, at Saint Joseph’s Church in New London. Burial will follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Ave., New London.
Gifts in memory of Peter may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital or The New London Food Coalition.
Condolences may be shared on Mr. Hayden’s memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.
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