Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend and Patriot… Gavin Hadden III passed away on Tuesday, April 11th at 2:20pm after a year-long battle with lung cancer. He fought to the end, leaving nothing on the field.
Gavin, was born in Boston, MA on October 28, 1946 to Gavin Hadden Jr and Caryl Wohlgemuth Hadden. He was raised in Fairfield, CT where he graduated from Andrew Warde High School in 1964, then on to Lehigh University where he graduated with a Civil Engineering degree in 1968.
Almost immediately upon graduating from Lehigh, Gavin went on to work for Turner Construction Company. During his early years at Turner, Gavin enlisted in the United States Army. He served his nation for two years and earned the National Defense Service medal and the Sharpshooter Badge, M-16 rifle. He left the Army with the rank of Specialist 4.
Gavin then returned to Turner where he specialized in the construction of schools and hospitals. Amongst the hundreds he oversaw: Westchester Children’s Hospital, Stamford Hospital, Yale New Haven Hospital and the Fairfield Public School system. Gavin retired from Turner at 59-years-old after 38 years with the company.
Gavin and his wife of 44 years, Patricia Skiba Hadden, retired to their dream home in Kennebunk, Maine. There he served on the Vestry at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and was a proud member of the Cape Arundel Golf Club. On any given day, rain or shine, cold or hot, you could see Gavin rocking out to his favorite oldies while driving his convertible to the golf club. One of his proudest accomplishments was winning the Senior Club Championship four consecutive times. Cape Arundel Golf Club will be honoring Gavin starting this year by naming a champion’s trophy “The Gavin Hadden Memorial Cup.”
The only thing Gavin loved more than his country and his golf was his family. On most days in the summer you could find Patty and Gavin taking in the sound of the waves and beams of sunlight on Mother’s Beach in Kennebunk. Patty and Gavin were side by side through life, through the fight and will be through death.
He always said their greatest success in life was their children. A dedicated father not only in time but also in thought.
He attended all his eldest daughter’s track meets where she competed in the long jump and hurdles just like him, to suffering through long, slow gymnastics meets where he used his math skills to determine her scores. His chest swelled with pride when she joined the United States Air Force.
For his middle daughter, whether it was cheer leading, track meets or art shows, or eating Welsh rarebit on the couch on Saturdays, it was always about his constant encouragement.
And, for his son, it was displaying how to be a gentleman, a husband and a father. He never missed a game, no matter where or when, and often showed up at practices with the advice: Play hard, Play smart, Play the whole game.
To them all, he was a constant source of inspiration, support, guidance and forever a beacon of hope. Gavin and Patty raised their three children in Trumbull, Connecticut.
He is survived by them, their spouses and his beloved grandchildren: Elizabeth Hintzen of Alexandria, VA, her Husband Ryan Hintzen and their children Maxwell Blair and Mackenzie Elizabeth. Melissa Miller of Fairfield, CT, her husband Thomas Miller and their son Sawyer Hamilton. Gavin Hadden IV of Port Washington, NY, his wife Tracy Hadden and their children Gavin Charles and Cole Alden.
Gavin is also survived by his siblings Peter Hadden of Southborough, MA; Linda Shen of Boston, MA and the memory of his eldest sister Susan Woodcock of Burke, VA.
Patricia and her Children will be holding a memorial service in June at their favorite outdoor location, St Ann’s Church overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on a date TBD.
In lieu of flowers please make a donation in his name to the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to the children and spouses of our fallen and disabled service members while serving our nation. Go to foldsofhonor.org to donate.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com
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