Obituary of Ewart William Hayes

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Ewart William (Bud) Hayes, P.Eng.

Passed away on a breezy Father’s Day on June 20, 2021 at the age of 93.

Bud was born in London Ontario, the youngest child of Cyril and Frances Hayes.  His brother Allan served in the RCAF and was killed in 1945, his sister Margaret (Rieder) died in 2010.  He was the beloved husband of Florence (Swayze) with whom he shared countless adventures and cribbage games.  They recently celebrated their 68^th wedding anniversary on June 6.  Bud was so proud of his sons Allan (Elizabeth) and Geoffrey (Donna).  He cherished time with his grandchildren Natalie (Kyle), Jamie (Ashley), Christopher and Laura, eagerly attending their hockey, basketball and soccer games, and dance, music and arts performances.

Bud attended KCI and then graduated in civil engineering from Queen’s University in 1949.  He began practicing structural engineering in the office of his brother-in-law Carl Rieder, before starting E.W. Hayes Ltd. and eventually merging his firm with Walter Fedy McCargar Hachborn.   As a professional engineer, Bud was known for his dedication and attention to detail.  Notable local projects designed by Bud include Forest Heights Collegiate, Waterloo Collegiate, Highland Baptist Church and the Marsland Centre.   

In the community, Bud was a member of the YMCA Pan Politae Club, the KW YMCA Camp Committee and was a Past President of the Rotary Club of Kitchener where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.   He was also a longtime member of Highland Baptist Church where he sang bass in the choir in addition to keeping the church boilers running and the baptistry heated.

Bud was an avid skier, sailor, racquetball player and bridge player. He loved music, especially operetta as well as Bach and Handel.  Bud was a lover of a good pun; a bad pun even more.

He was happiest at the family cottage on Georgian Bay where there was no shortage of things to do.  Bud would happily drop everything to spend time with friends or when his grandchildren wanted to play and he loved to swim, sail and even jump off the cliff with them.

The family is grateful for the support of many healthcare professionals in Bud’s later years with a specific thank you to nurse Shannon and PSW’s Wally, Houston and Amber.

A visitation will be held at Erb and Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm on Wednesday, June 30.   A private family service will be held afterward. Personal face coverings are required. To attend the visitation, relatives and friends must register (RSVP) in advance by calling 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.

Donations may be made in Bud’s memory to Highland Baptist Church or the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre by contacting the funeral home.