Solon - With great sadness, the family of Wayne Allan Hayden shares that he passed away peacefully at home on March 24, 2026, with his family by his side.

Wayne was born on January 18, 1945, in Skowhegan, Maine, to Francis and Nettie Hayden. He attended Solon schools and, after completing his education, went on to work in the woods, logging and performing other lumber operations with his brother, Millard Hayden.

Wayne met his wife, Greta Hayden, on a blind date arranged by his brother and her cousin. One thing led to another, and they shared 62 wonderful years of marriage. Together, they raised four children and enjoyed many adventures, including traveling to Nova Scotia for the last International Exchange for Square Dancing and moving around the country wherever his work took him.

Throughout his working career, Wayne held a variety of roles, including shoe manufacturing, construction, driving garbage trucks, plastic manufacturing, and milk delivery. The role he held the longest, and of which he was most proud, was with H.E. Sargent, where he worked as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator for 32 years until illness forced his retirement.

Wayne loved woodworking, including making furniture such as a rocking cradle for a friend and coworker and a hope chest for his granddaughter. He was always puttering in the garage, creating small wooden pieces and whatever else came to mind. He loved John Deere tractors and had amassed quite a collection of memorabilia and tractor models. He could not drive past a John Deere tractor without slowing down for a closer look. Most of all, he loved dancing with his wife, Greta, whether they were going out to dance halls or square dancing. His specialty was the polka.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Bernard Hayden, Herbert Hayden and his wife, Greta, Millard Hayden, Durwood Hayden and his wife, Marjorie, Wilder Hayden and his wife, Pam, Douglas Hayden, and Alfred Hayden; his sister, Doris Hayden; and his brother-in-law, Norman Richardson.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Greta Hayden; his daughters, Carolyn Hayden, Karen Clark and her husband, John, and Julie Jordan and her husband, Phil; his son, Dana Hayden, and his wife, Priscilla; and his sisters, Chloe Collins and her husband, Garold, and Corrine Richardson. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on August 1 at noon at Tewksbury Hall, located behind the Federated Church on the Island in Skowhegan. Anyone who would like to bring a dish to the event is asked to reach out to Carolyn, Karen, or Greta. A burial will be held at a later date and time to be determined.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Northern Light Hospice team for all they did for Wayne. The family greatly appreciated their dedication. They would also like to thank the oncology team at Redington-Fairview General Hospital and the family members who remained by Wayne’s side until the end.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the oncology department at Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Wayne’s memory.