Obituary of Dennis J. Hayden

Dennis J. Hayden, of Freehold, passed away on May 24, 2023, at home. He was born and raised in Jersey City and settled in Howell in 1988. Dennis worked for 40 years for the DVD Postal Facility in Kearny. He attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, Marist High School, and Saint Peter’s College. Dennis was an Assistant Basketball Coach at St. Peter’s Prep High School for over 10 years. He was an avid runner, competing in the New York City Marathon many times, and belonged to the Freehold Area Running Club. Dennis was truly selfless, and everyone could always count on him for help. Above all, he will be remembered as a devoted brother, uncle, and great uncle.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Margaret Hayden; sister, Margaret M. Hayden; aunts, Sister Mary Stephen Manning, MSC and Jeanne Gallagher; and uncle, Thomas Manning. Dennis is survived by his brother, Stephen Hayden and his wife, Cynthia of East Brunswick; sister, Dorothy Rodziewicz and her husband, Robert of Ocean Township; nieces, Patricia Hahn and her husband, Michael and Kathleen Coppinger and her husband, John; great nephew, Dylan Hahn; great niece, Maggie Hahn; lifelong friend, Frank Karkut; and many loving cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:30 AM Funeral Mass on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold. For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Peters University Men’s Basketball, HERE, or donations may be mailed to Office of Alumni Engagement, Saint Peter’s University, 2641 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07306. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com