For some 10 years now Hayward’s Deli & Market has been serving up customers, both the early morning rush hour crowd and noon lunch lines. 

Celebrate life at Hayward’s Deli Thursday, January 15, with a free cup of coffee in memory of Ken Hayward.

Hayward’s Deli remembers the life of Ken Hayward, who passed away July 11, 2014, at the age of 57, with a free coffee for customers and a Celebration of Life.

This Thursday, January 15, Hayward’s Deli will celebrate customers by remembering Ken Hayward himself, who passed away suddenly in early July of this past summer. The popular local deli carries on Hayward’s namesake and is now run by wife Lauren and son Ken, Jr.

Thursday’s Celebration of Life will offer customers free coffee and a few other treats as a way to acknowledge and thank the community for its continuing support of the local deli.

Photos of Ken Hayward at the June 28, 2014 Jason Hruscik Softball Tournament at Sloatsburg Community Fields. / Courtesy of Geoff Welch

Through the years the popular store, located in Sloatsburg along Rt. 17, has quietly supported the Sloatsburg United Methodist Church Food Pantry, especially helping out with its counter collection tip jar.

Food Pantry Director Susan Meyer said that the Hayward’s tip jar contributions are so steady that they’ve become a regular source of income for the Food Pantry.

Hayward’s has also been instrumental in supporting Sloatsburg Elementary School’s annual Olympic Day and cross country meet, while also fielding a softball team at the annual Jason M. Hruscik 6th Annual Memorial Softball Tournament and Vendor Fair. This past year’s tournament was one of the final public event’s Ken Hayward attended.

Hayward’s Deli has been a mainstay for residents and road warriors alike, and is open rain or shine, serving up supplies, breakfast coffee, lunch sandwiches.

So, if you visit Thursday, have a cup of joe on Ken and kin. And remember the folks that arrived before you to turn on the lights and brew the coffee.