Also known as Union Jack, Sir Jack Hayward is synonymous with the island of Grand Bahama and in particular the Grand Bahama Port Authority. But to me he was a good friend whose sense of humor and generosity knew no bounds!
Jack Arnold Hayward was born on 14 June 1923 in Wolverhampton, England, to Charles Hayward, an industrialist who founded the Firth Cleveland Group.
He was educated at Stowe School then joined the RAF in 1941 serving in India and Burma during WW2, after which he established American operations for his father’s firm. He came to The Bahamas in 1951 and by 1956 was vice-president of The Grand Bahama Port Authority.
Sir Charles Hayward (left) and his son, Sir Jack
He became closely associated with Edward St George and together they guided Freeport’s development for decades. Sir Jack had a genuine love for the island and its people and a burning desire to see it prosper and grow.
At his memorial service his son Rick mentioned that his father would not have had the money to do all the wonderful (charitable)things he did without the lovely Bahamian people who worked hard to establish Freeport’s success.
Among the organizations and causes he helped establish or support were:
YMCA, Sir Charles Hayward Library, Grand Bahama Humane Society, Salvation Army, Bahamas National Trust, Freeport Rugby and Youth Soccer, Grand Bahama Sailing Programs, Educational initiatives and scholarships, and perhaps most dear to him:
The Freeport Players’ Guild and Regency Theatre!
And that is what we will be covering in Part 2, coming very soon!
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