Hedley Hynes passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 7, 2021, in Ottawa, at the age of 91 years.
Hedley was the youngest of the ten children that survived infancy born to Tamar and Archibald Hynes. He was born in 1929 on Sop’s Island in Newfoundland’s White Bay. Since this was before the most recent Confederation, when Newfoundland was not yet part of Canada, Hedley lived in two countries without moving from the place he was born. Early in his life, the family was resettled off the small island to Sop’s Arm on the island of Newfoundland itself.
Hedley never spoke much to his children about the earliest of his days. It was decades later that he told new stories of tending goats – and literally sheltering in the cleft of a rock, which seems particularly poignant today. Hedley left school after Grade 6, to work, as was largely the custom. Working with his hands, primarily in lumber, he met the young school teacher, Jean Covert, who had come to Sop’s Arm to teach in the one room school. Hedley followed his love back to Ottawa, where he and Jean married in 1963, and raised three children. Hedley worked driving trucks primarily in construction, until setting into a long-time career as a driver with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
There were two traits that defined Hedley. First and foremost was his faith. Although he could certainly be gruff, and held strong opinions that were not always shared, he was a man of prayer and spent many hours studying God’s Word. We have no doubt where Hedley is now found.
Secondly, along with Jean, Hedley welcomed newcomers and befriended many of those who seemed alone, particularly in the Church setting. At work, his compassion and friendship with the elders he served was legendary. Before his health began to fail, he volunteered many hours in many facets of church life, and he always seemed to have time for those who were a few years his senior, helping them to run errands and just being present. His dedication to caring for his parents-in-law, and his wife, in times when their health began to fail has been noticed by many, and that he did it without complaint.
As his own health gave out in later years, first from work disabilities, and then from the ravages of time, and then beginning to fade mentally while even surviving a bout of Covid-19, his inner strength often seemed unending even as his body began to become frail.
Hedley was married to Jean Covert Hynes forty years until her death 2003, and then later to Rita Bianchi. Hedley was the loving and stalwart father to Byron Hynes (Jeanetta), Anita Hynes, and Roslyn Dulmage (David). He was the cherished “Poppy” of six: Darrian, Andreas, Emma, Leah, Kelly and Zoey. Hedley is survived by many nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren. He will be missed and remembered by all who got to know him.
A funeral service is planned for February 20th at Bethel Pentecostal Church, with internment to follow at Capital Memorial Gardens. Because of the Covid situation, please RSVP if you are planning to attend. www.eventbrite.com/e/funeral-for-hedley-hynes-tickets-141606118713
You may also join by livestreaming. contacting funeral home 613-258-2435 or Bethel Pentecostal Church for livestreaming information
Donations may be made to the Ottawa Valley Pentecostal Camp.
Sunday February 7th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Hedley Hynes Hynes Sunday February 7th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Ottawa, Province: Ontario