Hayden Henwood

Hayden John Henwood

It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Hayden on Friday, May 25, 2012 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Hayden will be greatly missed and remembered with love by his wife Gwen, daughters Dawn Henwood of Halifax, Nova Scotia and Angela (Mark) Matwick of Winnipeg; brothers Walter (Jo-Anne) and Bill (Mary), grandchildren Bradley, Alison, Claire and Brendan; and many nephews and nieces across Canada.

Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia into an Army family, Hayden's childhood was spent in various provinces across Canada, spending many great summers on Cape Breton Island with his grandparents. In his teen years his family was posted to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he met his future wife, Gwen, in high school.

Hayden joined the Air Cadets while in high school and went on to serve 34 years as a pilot and officer in the RCAF and Canadian Forces in a variety of operational flying and staff positions. His 7,800 hours of flying included a tour at 442 Squadron in Comox, British Columbia as a Search and Rescue pilot on the Dakota and Albatross. It was here that he and Gwen welcomed the arrival of their first daughter, Dawn. Hayden was posted to 3CFFTS at CFB Portage la Prairie as a flying instructor and Standards Officer on the Chipmunk and Musketeer. During this time, daughter Angela was born. Other tours included 416 Squadron as Deputy CO and a line pilot on the CF-101 Voodoo in Chatham, New Brunswick, and Commandant of 3CFFTS where he flew the Musketeer and Bell Jet Ranger. His staff tours included Air Command in Winnipeg, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium, and the Air Education and Training Command Headquarters of the USAF in San Antonio, Texas.

He retired from the Canadian Forces in July 1997 as a Lieutenant Colonel and joined Bombardier Inc. as the Manager of Flying Operations and became Director for the Canadian Aviation Training Centre and served in this position until his retirement in September 2005.

Over the years, Hayden involved himself in the community by actively volunteering his time with various local committees and associations. He held volunteer positions as the Chairman of the Sponsoring Committee for 575 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, as a member of the Board of Directors for the Portage la Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the local Board of Directors for the Canada Senior Games held in Portage la Prairie in 2006, as President and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Portage Golf Club, and served as the Director of the Manitoba Air Show held at Southport. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Manitoba Aerospace Association. In August 2006, Hayden was appointed Honorary Colonel for the 3 Canadian Flying Training School at Southport and served until 2010. In this position he acted as a community liaison between the flight school and the local community, raising awareness of the importance and purpose of the military. Hayden was also involved in various committees at First Presbyterian Church and was the current Chair of the Board of Directors of Southport Aerospace.

Hayden's passion was golf, golf, and more golf. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, riding the lawn tractor, or walking, hiking, cycling with Gwen. He also made many special memories as a "hands-on" Grampa with his four grandchildren in Manitoba and Nova Scotia and is famous for his root beer floats. Hayden will be remembered by his family and those who knew him for his integrity, honesty, leadership, wisdom, energy, sense of humour, and his "all or nothing" approach to life.

A service to celebrate Hayden's life will be held on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 2:00 pm at Hangar 1, Southport with Rev. John Zondag officiating. Interment will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Hayden's memory to Heart and Stroke Foundation, Central Plains Cancer Care or the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com