David James Hayward

David James Hayward, age 82, of Rock Hill, SC, formerly of Jacksonville, FL, passed away peacefully at home on January 7, 2023. David had recently relocated to South Carolina to live with his daughter and family, having spent most of his retirement years in Florida.

David was born on August 27,1941, to Dr. Frederick Nathan and Edna Mae Hayward (nee Miller) in Monroe, MI.  He spent his childhood years in Monroe, MI, Toledo, OH, and Newport RI, graduated high school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a teenager. He married Mary Lynn Brennan in February, 1965 and together they raised three children.

David honorably served in the United States Navy for 30 years, having risen to the rank of Command Master Chief Petty Officer upon his retirement in the late 1980s. While serving in the military, David attended Jones College in Jacksonville, FL working hard to receive a Bachelor of Science degree. He continued working as a government contractor and traveled around the world, solving complex technical issues in various ports of entry. After retiring as a government contractor, he worked for the U.S. Census Bureau for 20 years in the Jacksonville, FL area, assisting with survey canvassing, data collection, and problem-solving.

David was an avid drummer and jazz enthusiast, loved working in the yard, and compassionately cared for his wife Mary Lynn through her declining health in recent years while in Florida. He was a quiet, reserved, and patriotic man, and loved spending time with family, most recently at Thanksgiving and Christmas. He loved treating others at local diners, and his funny one-liners consistently drew smiles from those around him. He expressed his joy and appreciation routinely and truly felt the love of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in his final days.

David is survived by his 3 children: Michelle Marie Gorospe (Jim Hawkins), John David Hayward (Lainey), James Frederick Hayward (Stephanie); 12 grandchildren: Andrew (Mary Elizabeth), Christopher (Katie), Patrick (Patricia), Sophia (Jordon), James (Julia), Mary Abigail (Armando), Edward, Taylor, Drew, David, Charlotte, and John David; 7 great grandchildren; and sister-in-law Joyce Brennan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Edna Mae, brother Robert Durbin, wife Mary Lynn, son-in-law Charles Gorospe, and brother-in-law Ronald Brennan.

Per David’s request, memorial services with full military honors will be held at a later date at the National Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL, pending scheduling and coordination with U.S. Veterans Affairs. A special thanks to deacons Ted Clement and Andrew Da Silva from St. Anne Catholic Church, Rock Hill, SC for offering a family memorial service, Liturgy of the Hours, at Michelle's residence and David's place of passing.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s name can be made directly to the Wounded Warrior Project: support.woundedwarriorproject.org