He over came the challenges

Stuart was born the son of well known blind musician Lance Hayward and Mary Hayward(Jackson) on May 19th 1942. He attended Central School. Like most young boys that faced teen challenges Stuart was no different. At age 14 he was sent to Grenada and lived with a Bermudian family and placed into a boarding School. He faced upheaval there often and altercations with the head teacher. He was sent back home to Bermuda and became one of the first persons to register at the Bermuda Technical Institute, in engineering studies and then went on to Howard University.

He became a Columnist as well as a radio broadcaster. Stuart was a go-getter and was determined not to leave any stone unturned in his quest to do what he felt was right for the people of the Island and the environment and with these ideas he challenged Government on many levels. He became chairman of the Bermuda National Trust’s environmental Committee and founded ‘Save Open Spaces in 1982″.

THE POLITICAL SCENE

Stuart upset the political scene in 1989 when he ran as an Independent for Parliament and won the seat of Dr. Clarence James a notable long time resident of North Village Pembroke and member of the ruling United Bermuda Party at that time from the strong seat of Pembroke West Central. He served a single term but made history as the first person to serve as an Independent to the house of Assembly in decades. Stuart made another bid for the house in 2003 and failed but came back on the Bermuda scene when he worked along with the organization “Best” He championed the environment as founder of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability task force in 2007. He Co-founded and chaired the Bermuda Leadership forum. He helped to lead the charge against the building of the new Hospital in the Botanical Gardens and was instrumental in the fight against Tucker’s Point Special Development Order in 2011. He was a founding member of the Coalition of a local Environmental Organization. He was an accomplished musician and led the 2005 report of musicians hiring to the fore the Islands once thriving music scene.

THE HONOURS

He was honoured with the Peace and Justice Award in 2019 for his life’s work on behalf of the environment by the Catholic Church in Bermuda. He was also awarded an honourary Life Membership in 2002 by the National Trust for his consummate work with the Trust.

In later years Stuart faced the dreaded illness that at some point hits many seniors as old age creeps in and had to step back from the sharing of his vast knowledge. The people of Bermuda lost a musical I con and early contributor to climate change. Well done!! Stuart you’ve joined the rank of great musicians and visionaries and left the baton for the next generation to carry. As a former school pal I am honoured to record this information about you so your good deeds will never be forgotten.

Submitted by Joy Wilson-Tucker Researcher

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