Obituary of Kevin Hayden

Kevin Joseph Hayden, 88, of Garrison, New York, passed away in his sleep at home on Saturday, June 1, 2024, after a prolonged fight with cancer. He was the youngest of five sons of the late Emma and Lawrence Hayden, and the last surviving brother of Lawrence, George, Daniel, and James Hayden.

Kevin was born and raised in Brooklyn, served in the United States Army, and was a proud member of the New York Police Department. He served at the 41st Precinct in the South Bronx, commonly known as “Fort Apache.” He also served in NYPD’s harbor unit and in the Coast Guard Reserve.

Kevin married Joan Smith, and upon their anniversary later this month, they would have been married 59 years. Kevin enjoyed summer vacations with his family in the Adirondacks on Loon Lake, horse racing and boating. He relished many Hayden family reunions, whether at Belmont Racetrack or in one of his brothers’ backyards. He celebrated life’s simple pleasures every day and shared his love, strength, and sometimes mischievous sense of humor with all who knew him. Even when the chronologically oldest in the room, he almost always was the youngest at heart.

Kevin was predeceased by his parents, brothers, and his nephew and godson James.

He is survived by his wife Joan, his daughter Karen, his son Kevin Jr. and daughter-in-law Keara, and his grandchildren Luke, Karalyn, Finnian, Hayden and Henry, along with many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to a wake at Nardone Funeral Home in Peekskill, New York, on Saturday, June 8 from 11:30 am until 2:00 pm.

Interment and rendering of Military Honors, playing of taps, flag folding, and presentation ceremony to follow at Assumption Cemetery Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY.

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kevin’s name to a charity of your choice.