Clinton R. Hayward Jr., 78, of South China, Maine died peacefully on May 2, 2021 with his family at his side after a brief illness at Togus VA Medical Center, Augusta. He was the loving husband of the late Patricia B. (Sitnik) Hayward.

Clinton was born Dec. 29, 1942 in Vanceboro, Maine, son of the late Clinton R. and Ruth D. (Davis) Hayward. He was a resident of South China for the past three years. He previously resided in Calais and Winslow. He was a graduate of Calais High School Class of 1961. He went on to further his education at UMaine Orono where he graduated in 1976 with a degree in criminal justice.

Clinton was the security director at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston for 22 years until his retirement in 2008. He previously was the chief of police for the City of Calais for 12 years and was also the owner and operator of the Red Beach Country Store in 1977.

He was a proud United States Air Force veteran serving during the Vietnam war and held the rank of sergeant.

Clinton was an active member of the community. He was a member of Ducks Unlimited and served as chapter chairman, The International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety where he served as Maine State Chairman, a member of the Humane Society of the U.S. and the United Animal Nations. He was the associate supervisor of the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District, past president of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association and also served as a member of the New England Association for Chiefs of Police and Governor’s Task Force for Law Enforcement.

Clint was a master gardener and spent most of his years creating, building and maintaining Hayward Gardens in Winslow. This talent carried over in his retirement years at his home on Three Mile Pond known as the “Chick-a-Monk.” If he wasn’t caring for his gardens you could find him on the pond fishing or maintaining trails on the property at “Chick-a-Monk.” He truly enjoyed being outdoors with his family, friends and loyal and faithful canine companion Joy. He also treasured the time he spent with his family at the family camp on Boyden Lake in Perry, Maine and most recently on Three Mile Pond in So. China.

Clint was happiest when his hands were in the dirt, or fishing on many lakes in Central Maine. Clint had also recently re-opened his antique business (Wild Wings Antiques) out of his home on Three Mile Pond and had a lifelong love of antiques. In his earlier years, Clint was an avid duck and grouse hunter and passed that passion on to his two sons Tom and Clint. He was a happy and positive man known for his leadership and compassion. All that knew him well have suffered a tremendous loss.

Clinton is survived by his children Diane Seeley of Charlotte, Maine, Tommy Hayward and his wife Nokomis of Scarborough, Clinton D. Hayward and his wife Anne of Livermore, Paul Blair and his wife Sarah Pew of Pacifica, California and Kathy Blair of Auburn, Maine. Also his sisters, Betty Jean Bisson of Minneapolis, Karel MacKay and her husband Al of So. China, Marcia Hayward of Machiasport, and Debbie Hancock and her husband Gordon of Calais. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Megan Grenier and Samantha Hayward of Sidney and Taylor Hayward of Scarborough. As well his stepgrandchildren Stephanie Seeley-Bishop and her husband Taylor of Herman and Andrew Seeley of Concord, NH, his step-great-grandchildren Lydia and Myla Bishop of Herman and his special friend Marcia Chambers of West Boothbay Harbor, Maine, the brother he never had Pete Nelson and his wife Sandra of So.China, his longtime best friend John Cassidy and his wife Elaine of Winslow, and he will surely be missed by his longtime devoted canine Joy as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his loving wife and parents, Clinton was predeceased by his sister Janet Yardley, brother David Hayward, and his son-in-law Edward Seeley.

Clinton’s visiting hours will be in the Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St. Fairfield on Wednesday, May 19 from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by his funeral service in the funeral home. Interment with military honors will immediately follow in the Mine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road Augusta at 1 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Following the guidelines set forth by the state of Maine and the CDC masks and social distancing will be required.

In lieu of flowers donations in Clinton’s memory may be to the Waterville Humane Society, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, ME 04901.

Arrangements are in the care of the Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

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