PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Robert Conant Hayden, 88, of Fort Pierce, Fla., formerly of Auburn, passed away Feb. 26, at Port St. Lucie, Fla.

He was born in West Farmington, Dec. 25, 1917, one of three sons of Henry W. and Bessie A. Conant Hayden. As a child growing up, he showed his self-reliance as he was moved between several households, including two years at Goodwill-Hinkley Home for Children. He eventually came to live with Everett and Lucia York on their farm in Otisfield and graduated from Norway High School.

His career in sales took him throughout Maine, working for H.J. Heinz Co., Briggs Maroney Paint Co. and culminating with Maine Cement Products of South Portland.

His first wife of 34 years, G. Alice Cahoon of Nantucket, Mass., and mother of his three children, passed away in May of 1975. On Dec. 1, 1976, he married the former Diana Dostie.

Bob was very active in the local Masonic Order and the Kora Shrine Temple, where he served as the potentate’s chief aide for more than 20 years and was a member of Tranquil Lodge 29, AF and AM, Scottish Rite L-A Valley and Maine Consistory 32nd Degree.

After retirement in sales, he and Diana ran the concessions for the Shrine Circus throughout Maine. He also enjoyed vegetable gardening and was vice president of the annual Fourth of July celebration on Marston Street.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; two sons, Douglas Hayden and wife, Suzanne, of Lewiston and David Hayden and wife, Barbara, of Whitefield; daughter, Deborah Rybeck and husband, Paul, of Auburn; his half-sister, Patricia Langlin of Phoenix, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; stepsons, Keith Oceipka and wife, Gail and family of Bangor and Richard Oceipka and wife, Norma and family of Vassalboro; one niece; and several nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; his stepmother, Beatrice Hayden; and two brothers, C. Winslow Hayden and Henry W. Hayden Jr.

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