Remembering Lawrence Hayden
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Lawrence (Larry) Hayden, 63, of Seymour, beloved husband of Roberta (Robyn O’Brien) Hayden, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 after a short illness. Born on July 10th, 1956 in Derby, he was the son of the late Richard Hayden and Lorraine Gildea Hayden Bennett; stepson of the late Edward Bennett.
Larry grew up in Shelton and Ansonia; attended Emmett O’Brien Tech and graduated from Ansonia High School in 1974. He held several jobs over the years, including working with his stepfather at Bennett Service Center in Ansonia. As well as Import Auto in Ansonia, Farrell Corporation in Ansonia, and TIE communications formerly of Shelton, until losing his eyesight in 1981.
In 1960, at the age of 3, Larry lost his father Richard Hayden and was then diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. He struggled throughout his childhood and early adulthood to maintain the disease; at the age of 24 he lost his eyesight. This led to many eye surgeries, which contributed to his regaining eyesight in one eye in 1989. Later on, in 1992 Larry lost functioning of his kidneys for which he began treatment via peritoneal dialysis. This continued for some years until he contracted peritonitis and therefore began hemodialysis treatment.
While on a waitlist for transplants, he also endured heart disease complications, which led to a triple bypass surgery to repair damage that would have otherwise led to a heart attack.
After eight years on dialysis, he received a kidney and pancreas transplant in 2000 and was able to maintain both for the next 20 years. However, the effects of diabetes continued to create health problems leading him to countless surgeries and hospital stays. In 2006, he suffered the loss of his right leg and then again in 2017 after a year of health complications lost his left leg. Larry also endured several strokes as well as transient ischemic attacks.
In spite of a lifetime of health woes, Larry’s sense of humor and perseverance was always ever present. There were many scary hospital stays over the years and it wasn’t unusual for him to recover and walk away determined to keep going. Despite his humor and strength, Larry struggled on and off with depression. Becoming a born-again Christian and his love for creating music became catalysts to combat his struggles.
As an avid musician from an early age, he played guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard. In the 1980s he became a Christian singer songwriter, produced two albums in 1985 and 1987. He performed along with his wife, Robyn in Reflections – a Christian group at Seymour Methodist.
He became well-known in the Valley and New Haven areas for his singing and songwriting and performed at many churches. He also wrote a special song, ‘True Freedom’ to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Naugatuck Valley Methodist Camp Meeting.
Larry is survived by his loving wife Robyn, and his two children Kimberlee and her partner Scott Bodnar, Timothy and his wife Samantha Hayden. As well as his grandchildren, Kaylee, Maggie, Willow, Maddie, and Hunter. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Marian and Charles Burnett of Delray Beach, Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews.
We are raising money to help cover the cost of cremation, as well as Memorial costs. We'd love to share memories with our friends and family and to celebrate the life of Larry.
His daughter, Kimberlee is overseeing fundraising efforts and any additional funds will go to the family to cover any remaining medical/memorial costs.
We are also hoping to put Larry's music on YouTube very soon! Larry's son Timothy will be converting and mastering his music. We will post a link for that as well!
A memorial for friends and family will be held at a later date and we will be posting updates as well as pictures. If you have pictures or stories of Larry, please feel free to share!
Above all, thank you to the friends and family that have supported Larry and his family for years, we love you all.
Larry grew up in Shelton and Ansonia; attended Emmett O’Brien Tech and graduated from Ansonia High School in 1974. He held several jobs over the years, including working with his stepfather at Bennett Service Center in Ansonia. As well as Import Auto in Ansonia, Farrell Corporation in Ansonia, and TIE communications formerly of Shelton, until losing his eyesight in 1981.
In 1960, at the age of 3, Larry lost his father Richard Hayden and was then diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. He struggled throughout his childhood and early adulthood to maintain the disease; at the age of 24 he lost his eyesight. This led to many eye surgeries, which contributed to his regaining eyesight in one eye in 1989. Later on, in 1992 Larry lost functioning of his kidneys for which he began treatment via peritoneal dialysis. This continued for some years until he contracted peritonitis and therefore began hemodialysis treatment.
While on a waitlist for transplants, he also endured heart disease complications, which led to a triple bypass surgery to repair damage that would have otherwise led to a heart attack.
After eight years on dialysis, he received a kidney and pancreas transplant in 2000 and was able to maintain both for the next 20 years. However, the effects of diabetes continued to create health problems leading him to countless surgeries and hospital stays. In 2006, he suffered the loss of his right leg and then again in 2017 after a year of health complications lost his left leg. Larry also endured several strokes as well as transient ischemic attacks.
In spite of a lifetime of health woes, Larry’s sense of humor and perseverance was always ever present. There were many scary hospital stays over the years and it wasn’t unusual for him to recover and walk away determined to keep going. Despite his humor and strength, Larry struggled on and off with depression. Becoming a born-again Christian and his love for creating music became catalysts to combat his struggles.
As an avid musician from an early age, he played guitar, bass, drums, and keyboard. In the 1980s he became a Christian singer songwriter, produced two albums in 1985 and 1987. He performed along with his wife, Robyn in Reflections – a Christian group at Seymour Methodist.
He became well-known in the Valley and New Haven areas for his singing and songwriting and performed at many churches. He also wrote a special song, ‘True Freedom’ to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Naugatuck Valley Methodist Camp Meeting.
Larry is survived by his loving wife Robyn, and his two children Kimberlee and her partner Scott Bodnar, Timothy and his wife Samantha Hayden. As well as his grandchildren, Kaylee, Maggie, Willow, Maddie, and Hunter. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Marian and Charles Burnett of Delray Beach, Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews.
We are raising money to help cover the cost of cremation, as well as Memorial costs. We'd love to share memories with our friends and family and to celebrate the life of Larry.
His daughter, Kimberlee is overseeing fundraising efforts and any additional funds will go to the family to cover any remaining medical/memorial costs.
We are also hoping to put Larry's music on YouTube very soon! Larry's son Timothy will be converting and mastering his music. We will post a link for that as well!
A memorial for friends and family will be held at a later date and we will be posting updates as well as pictures. If you have pictures or stories of Larry, please feel free to share!
Above all, thank you to the friends and family that have supported Larry and his family for years, we love you all.
Organizer
Kimberlee Hayden
Organizer
Seymour, CT
