Paul G. Hayden

Capt. Paul Gardner “Gardy” Hayden, USN (Ret.), age 93, died after a brief illness in Mequon, WI on Saturday, August 24, 2013. Born August 12, 1920 in Green Bay, WI to Gardner and Harriet (nee Edwards) Hayden. Gardy attended St. John’s Grade School and Green Bay East High School. He was active in football, basketball and track. Gardy spent 2 years at Lawrence University in Appleton studying chemistry. In 1940 the U.S. Navy wanted men with at least 2 years of college for commissioned officers so Gardy enlisted at the age of 19. Gardy spent most of his career on the Destroyer USS Sterett and later the Destroyer USS Cimarron. He was in the battle of Guadalcanal and Tulagi in “Iron Bottom Sound”. Gardy served almost 7 years of active duty and retired from the Navy in 1960 after receiving medals from the Pacific, African and Atlantic Theatres. Gardy returned to college at University of Wisconsin-Madison earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. Upon graduation Gardy began work at Northern Paper Mills in Green Bay as a Chemist. That same year Gardy married Maxine (nee Hanna) and they lived in Green Bay. In 1951, Gardy joined Milprint as a Product Development Chemist in DePere, promoted to Plant Manager in 1960 and Manager of Manufacturing Midwest Division in 1970 in Milwaukee. Gardy’s family then moved to Grafton where they lived for 8 years. In 1978 Gardy and his family moved to Winfield, IL so Gardy could accept a job at Meyercord in Carol Stream, IL. Gardy officially retired in 1984 and relocated to La Jolla, CA for 24 years. In 2009 Gardy came back to Grafton to live with his daughter Julie and family. Maxine preceded Gardy in death in October of 2002. His parents, daughter Chrissy Mary, granddaughter Melissa Gramoll, and brother John Hayden, also preceded Gardy in death. Paul is survived by his son Paul (Betty) Hayden of Evansville, IN and their children Jasmine, John and Jacob and granddaughter, Kiernan. Daughter Julie (Scott) Gramoll of Grafton and their daughter’s Molly and Sara Gramoll who so enjoyed their four years of Papa living with them. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Memorial Service Saturday, September 7, 2013 at Fort Howard Memorial Park, 1350 N. Military Avenue in Green Bay, WI at 12:00 noon followed by full military honors. Memorial Gathering at the mausoleum chapel from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.