Find someone in need and extend a hand of love, Craig Hayden’s family asked the public through their bishop on the day of his funeral Monday, Oct. 6.
It’s what Hayden, 72, would have wanted, and it’s what he did during his life before he was killed in the Sept. 28 fatal attack at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township that took the lives of four worshippers and wounded eight.
Media wasn’t allowed inside Hayden’s funeral on Monday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church in nearby Flint. Police were on guard. But Bishop Jeffrey Schaub of the church’s Grand Blanc ward met with a Free Press reporter prior to Hayden’s funeral service to extend that message of love.
“Craig Hayden was a beloved father of four, a grandfather of 10 and a loving husband of 51 years,” Schaub said.
“He served in his community, he served in his church. He did good to all he encountered.”
That’s the legacy his family hopes to carry on. Hayden’s family wrote in his obituary that “he touched countless lives throughout his life” and will be remembered “as a man of quiet courage, patience, understanding, and kindness to all those he met.”
“Craig spent his time, coming to the aid of friends and family, and offering an ear to those who needed someone to listen,” the family continued in his obituary. “Craig was devoted to his family, and loved them all dearly. He was a pilot, enjoyed playing guitar, rooting for the Detroit Tigers, and spending time with his life-long friends.”
Hayden’s family was silent as they followed the casket carrying his body outside of the church — all that could be heard were cars passing by. And as the casket was carried into the white hearse, loved ones hugged each other, held hands. Some wept.
They didn’t stop until it was time to bury Hayden and say their final goodbyes.
The FBI has taken over the investigation of the fatal attack. Authorities say U.S Marine veteran Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, of Burton plowed into the small-town church in a pick-up truck donning two American flags in the back, shot at churchgoers and lit the building on fire. Improvised explosive devices were also found among the carnage, authorities confirmed. Sanford was killed by police within minutes of the shooting.
Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. Contact her at asahouri@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Funeral held for Craig Hayden, 72, victim of Grand Blanc Twp. church attack
Reporting by Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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