David Lee Hayden, Age 50 of Chelmsford, MA

A great son, brother, husband, uncle and overall helluva guy has left his family and friends with a huge void. David Lee Hayden, 50, of Chelmsford, MA passed away at Lowell General Hospital on October 6, 2021, after a 9-year battle with cancer.

Despite all the pain he endured, Dave maintained an extremely positive attitude. Especially during the last three months, when he spent way too much time in emergency rooms and intensive care units, coming close to death a number of times, Dave’s strength was an inspiration to his family and friends. As he told his mother many times, “Mom, it is what it is.”

Dave graduated from Chelmsford High School in 1989 and from UMass Lowell in 1994, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology/Criminal Justice. He worked for Oracle Corporation. Before illness forced him to reluctantly stop working, he was a Principal Product Manager developing augmented reality-based training material for Oracle’s field service scheduling and routing software.

David is survived by his wife Christina Hayden of Chelmsford, MA, his parents Brenda and Thomas Hayden of Chelmsford, MA, his sister Elizabeth and her husband Timothy St. Gelais of Londonderry, NH, and his niece Madison St. Gelais of Londonderry, NH. He also leaves many wonderful friends with whom he shared a passion for gaming and medieval role playing.

Dave’s death came far too early and leaves a big, jagged hole in our hearts. We miss him more than we can express and will always cherish the half century we were blessed to spend with him.

Visitation and reception will be on Friday, October 15, 2021, from 5 to 6:30p.m. followed by A Celebration of Dave’s Life at 6:30 p.m. at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 Middlesex St., North Chelmsford, MA 01863.  Online guestbook at www.dolanfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements by DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.

All visitors must wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support Emerson Hospital.  You can make a gift online at https://www.emersonhospital.org/support-emerson/donate-now or send your gift to: Emerson Health Care Foundation, 133 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner, Concord, MA 01742.

Don’t cry because he’s gone. Smile because he was here!