Thomas Hayward

Thomas Hayward -- KankakeeThomas G. (Long) Hayward, 64, of Kankakee and retired captain of the Kankakee Fire Department, died at home Monday (Aug. 14, 2006), following a courageous battle with cancer. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, west Kankakee. Relatives and friends are encouraged to attend this celebration of Tom's life.A private burial will take place at a later date at Aroma Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Kankakee Valley, or to the family wishes.Tom was born July 31, 1942, in Henry, the son of Virgil and Margaret Childs Hayward. He attended Lacon Grade School and graduated from Thornton High School in Harvey.In March 1969, Tom began his career as a firefighter and paramedic with the Kankakee Fire Department, where he continued for 27 years until his retirement in 1996 as captain of fire prevention, education, and investigation. Tom attended fire prevention and education classes at Kankakee Community College and in Champaign. After his retirement from the fire department, Tom drove Bus 13 for First Student of Kankakee from 1999 until a few months prior to his death.Tom enjoyed hunting bear, deer and wild boar with his friends, and shooting sporting clays with his friends and his wife. Tom also enjoyed working crossword puzzles, watching westerns, and yelling at the Cubs. Tom was a member of the Illinois Associated Firefighters Local 653, the Teamsters Union, National Sporting Clays Association, and the National Rifle Association.Tom is survived by his wife, Sharon Sain Hayward, whom he married Oct. 27, 1998, in Kankakee; one sister and brother-in-law, Barbara Hayward Erickson and Ed Erickson of Houston, Texas; seven stepchildren and their spouses, L. Michael Blakeney of Bradley, Adam Blann of Merrillville, Ind., Dennis and Pam Bowsher of Kankakee, Scott and Sandy Bowsher of Bradley, Tony and Allyson Bowsher Martini of Aurora, Taryn Bowsher of Kouts, Ind., Robert and Kelly Bowsher Jarvis of Kankakee; 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; uncle and aunts, Helen Zerkel of Kankakee, George and Priscilla Childs of Hazel, Ky; and several cousins.Deceased are his parents and first wife, Janet (James) Bowsher Hayward.

Thomas Hayward

July 31, 1942 - August 14, 2006