Obituary of Donald Hayward Aiton

Donald Hayward Aiton, Q.C. of Grand Bay-Westfield, passed away on August 8, 2011 at Bobby’s Hope House, Saint John NB after a period of failing health in the presence of his wife Linda. He was born on September 23, 1941 to the late Donald S. and Margaret I. (Hayward) Aiton. After the War, they returned to their hometown of Hartland NB where Hayward attended school and graduated from Hartland High. After graduating Acadia University, Wolfville NS in Commerce and working in Toronto ON, he entered UNB Law School in Fredericton NB and graduated with a Bachelor of Law in 1969. He joined the Saint John law firm of McKelvey, Macaulay, Machum & Fairweather (now Stewart McKelvey) where he concentrated his practice on Business Law and Real Estate. Hayward was a member of the Canadian Bar Association, the Law Society of New Brunswick (twice elected to the council), Saint John Law Society (Secretary-Treasurer for 10 years; President for 2) and an associate member of the American Bar Association. He was on the Board of Directors with Nature Trust of NB, Inc. and Via Rail Canada. He was appointed Queen’s Council in 2001, named one of the leading real estate lawyers in Atlantic Canada by Lexpert Magazine in 2010, and qualified as an expert in real estate property matters in both Provincial Court of NB and the Court of Queen’s Bench NB. Although he devoted a great deal of time to his profession, he made time for his family, for his beloved "Dodgers", quality time on the Saint John River, and vacations in Florida at Yankee Traveler, Largo. When diagnosed with melanoma two and a half years ago, Hayward resolved that he would face all challenges with dignity, there would be no complaints, anger or self-pity, and no ’what-ifs’. He met all of these goals with great determination and courage and leaves to the world his legacy – his honest reputation and quiet nature. In his final days, he reflected on the great life that he had and the wonderful things he had experienced. He was grateful that his parents had established a good home in Hartland where he spent his childhood years; that he was lucky to have married Linda, who took the ‘in sickness’ part seriously, always giving more than she received; that for 42 years, he had the best job and the best clients in the world; and finally, that he had two good children who never gave him a moment of worry. In addition to his wife of 6 days shy of 40 years, Hayward is survived by a daughter, Mandi Lee (Jerry) McGaghey of Tampa FL; a son, Jonathan Kriss (Theressa) Aiton of Edmonton AB; a sister, Janet (Bob) Taylor of Fort St. John BC; three grandsons Jackson Smith Aiton and Gabriel Donald Andrew Aiton of Edmonton and Liam Myles McGaghey of Tampa; two nieces, one nephew and one aunt, Betty Fogarty, of Riverview NB. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister, Karen in 1996. Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visitation on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 from 1-4 pm and 7-9 pm. The Funeral Service will take place at the River Valley Wesleyan Church, 45 Ridge Way, Grand Bay-Westfield on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 2 pm. A private family interment will take place at a later date in Fredericton NB. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Hayward’s memory to Hospice Greater Saint John, 385 Dufferin Row, Saint John NB E2M 2J9.