Raymond F. Hayden

Raymond Francis Hayden, 95, of Cranston passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Saint Elizabeth Home in East Greenwich, RI, in the presence of his beloved wife of 54 years,  Barbara (Passell) Hayden. Born May 5, 1929, in Pittsfield, MA, Ray was the eldest son of the late Harold Hayden and late Freda (Herrick) Hayden Bamforth, and the stepson of the late Stanley R. Bamforth.  

Father of Jacqueline Hayden of St. Petersburg, FL, Ronald C. Hayden (Donna) of Wakefield, RI, Julie Russell (David) of North Kingstown, RI, Melissa Talevi of Coventry, RI, Robin Allen of Kissimmee, FL, Amy Thomas (Andre) of Cranston, RI, Sara K. Hayden of Washington, DC, and Michael R. Hayden (Lauren) of Cranston, RI. Ray was also the devoted Granddad to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and brother of the late Philip Hayden, David Hayden, and Paul Hayden.

Ray was raised in Cranston, where he attended elementary school at Valentine Almy and graduated from Cranston High. He was a 1950 graduate of the University of Rhode Island. After college graduation, Ray proudly served his country in the US Army, and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He then spent his long career in finance and banking with GMAC, Old Stone Bank, RI Higher Education, and Greenwood Credit Union. Ray spent time in Connecticut while working for GMAC, and returned to Cranston in 1974 where he and Barbara continued raising their family. In 2002, he and Barbara moved to Warwick, until moving to the Saint Elizabeth Community in 2019.

Ray’s daily life exemplified his values of faith, family, community service and gratitude until the very end. His last messages to his family before passing were “You have been a great family,” “Be kind to each other,” and “I am proud of you all.” He expressed appreciation to the health and hospice care staff who tended to him until he passed. He would recite a simple prayer before each meal whether in a restaurant or at his own table. A longtime parishioner of Calvary Covenant Church in Cranston and later, Christ Church in East Greenwich, Ray saw the goodness and light in others and shared God’s love and compassion through his kindness and wise counsel. He humbly and proudly served his community as both Councilman and School Committee Member for Ward 2 in Cranston. Into his 80s, Ray volunteered with the Interfaith Food Pantry several times a week.

Ray was a man of simple pleasures, including watching and listening to his Boston sports, playing bridge, taking brisk walks and enjoying a tasty grape-nut (or rice) pudding. He was the keeper of the family calendar, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, special and everyday occasions, and details of his loved ones’ (and their loved ones’) lives. When you were in Ray’s presence, you had his undivided care and attention. May we all share in carrying on his legacy of faith, love, compassion, and humility.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday  July 24, 2024 from 4:00-6:00pm with a Funeral Service immediately following in The Butterfield Chapel 500 Pontiac Avenue Cranston. A private burial with military honors will be held in The Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in Ray's memory can be made to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank  200 Niantic Avenue Providence, RI 02907 https://rifoodbank.org/donate/.