A light of kind-hearted village life went out Friday afternoon, July 11, during the bustle of regular comings and goings at the very store that was a great source of pride and joy and consternation.
Kenneth Hayward, owner and operator of Hayward’s Deli & Market in Sloatsburg, NY, a man of many causes as well as a quiet force of community outreach, died suddenly Friday while tending to business in his familair backroom office — a place where friends would often drop in for a quick visit.
Photos of Ken Hayward at the recent Jason Hruscik Softball Tournament at Sloatsburg Community Fields, possibly the last photos of him. Courtesy of Geoff Welch.
Hayward was 57 years old.
Even as the proprietor passed away, Hayward’s Deli remained and remains open for regular business hours, a testament to the discipline and dedication Ken instilled in those around him.
Hayward is survived by his sons and daughters and wife, Lauren, who worked tirelessly by Hayward’s side to build the family deli and market business into a village resource located in the heart of Sloatsburg.
Whether collecting coins at the deli counter for those in need, delivering holiday turkeys to the Sloatsburg Food Pantry or serving up spaghetti and meatballs for the Sloatsburg Elementary School annual cross country meet, Hayward was generous with his time and resources. His contributions to local causes often went unnoticed to the wider public. But Ken Hayward’s name was the first mentioned by other business owners and villagers when asked who was contributing to local causes.
The Hayward-sponsored softball team just won the Jason Hruscik Memorial Tournament title at the end of June and played at the Sloatsburg Community Fields — a point of pride for Ken.
And who hasn’t heard or seen first hand Hayward’s on Halloween, when the whole store gets into the holiday spirit.
Ken Hayward worked hours every day, through fair weather and foul, to keep the lights of Hayward’s Deli & Market lit for the patrons of Sloatsburg and beyond. Hayward could be a curmudgeonly proprietor at times, moody with the many worries of his world flickering across his eyes during conversation. But he quickly forgave any slight and seemlingly bounced back from any and all setbacks. Hayward had a good heart that just gave out on him.
He will be missed. By Lauren and his family. By his friends and customers. And by the Village of Sloatsburg and wider community.
There will be a donation box at the Sloatsburg Public Library for those who want to help out and show support for the Hayward family. Call the Library at 845-753-2001 for more information.
A Mass Of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Wednesday, July 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Joan of Arc Church in Sloatsburg, NY. Friends may call on Tuesday, July 15, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Scarr Funeral Home Route 202 Suffern.
