Gregory (Greg) Haynes
January 26, 1950 – August 12, 2019
Fresh out of high school, which he so often referred to as “Grade 9, 10-10, 11”, Greg Haynes enrolled in the Canadian Air Force marking the beginning of a 27 year career as a decorated Physician Assistant (PA) where he picked up the nickname “Doc” by many who served with him.
While on posting in Cornwallis he visited a photo studio to get photos of his girlfriend developed – the young photographer behind the counter and he caught eyes and that’s when Greg met his soon to be wife Patricia Haynes. They were married in 1971 and recently celebrated their 48th anniversary. They had two children, Jud (Krista) and Jennifer (Zane).
On Saturday, August 12th in the early morning hours Greg passed away at home, peacefully in his favourite chair.
Greg grew up in St. John’s, the third child to Art and Nellie Haynes, and is survived by his siblings, Art (Debby), Bob, Jud (Toni), Madonna and Wayne (Patsy).
He had a lifelong hockey obsession, which started early when he played goal for Gonzaga High School. A position he played well into his adult years with friends and in military leagues. He even coached his son’s team at one point.
From his stories and adventures you could tell he enjoyed an entire lifetime’s worth of experiences in his time serving with the Air Force. There he traveled the world and met life-long friends, many of which he and Patricia visited on a month long road trip this past spring.
In 1992, he and Patricia fixed up an old farm in Torbay and opened Treasure Cove Antiques in the old barn. Greg left the military to focus full time on the new store. He and Patricia had been shopping at antiques shops for years, most of which were barns converted into showrooms brimming with “junk” (his word for antiques). Greg was so proud to fulfill another life dream and own one of those shops for himself. It wasn’t long after trading military service for tea cups and victorian furniture that he grew his hair half way down his back and came to resemble more of a new age hippy than hardened ex-military soldier. His uniform now included cargo-shorts, skateboard sneakers, t-shirts and ball caps (almost always Air Force related ball caps). He walked both worlds – filling his days with thousands of beautiful collectible items at the shop, while always finding moments to tell a story or relive a memory from his military adventures.
The antiques shop led to a TV appearance on ‘Canadian Pickers’ which awarded Greg with his 15 minutes of fame. In heavy syndication you never know when you’re going to be flipping through the channels and catch Greg wheeling and dealing with the shows hosts.
He was an avid collector, in his early days it was hockey cards, but Newfoundland stamps and coins seemed to dominate that part of his day in later years. Truth be told, he’d collect almost anything if it sparked even the slightest flutter. His enthusiasm was infectious and he turned many of us into rabid collectors. He used to say ‘if you own two of something then that’s a collection…”, and two always led to three, three to four…
He didn’t own a computer or a bank card, didn’t have email or facebook, and for years refused to have a cell phone (although did give in and bought Patricia one for Christmas this past winter)… he feared all this new technology was taking the world in dark directions and our personal privacy would be one of the biggest casualties – and he wasn’t wrong. If you wanted to get ahold of him you had to get in your car and “come out”. He was happiest at home and woke early every morning to go sit in his chair and see who might come out. Guests shared tea, and were treated to stories, jokes (lots and lots of jokes), and ‘show and tell’ of his recent curiosities from the shop. There was always lots of lively debate, laughter and good times coming from within those walls – where for 27 years the “OPEN” sign was turned to face outward greeting guests at Treasure Cove Antiques.
His careers were split evenly, 27 years in the military, 27 years at the antiques shop. Greg Haynes was a proud Canadian Veteran, an enthusiastic entrepreneur, incredible Dad and father-in-law, dedicated brother, often times the life of the party… and most of all, loving husband, best friend, and life-travel buddy to Patricia, his partner at every turn. We’re all going to miss him very much.
Visitation with family and friends will take place Friday, August 16th at Caul’s Funeral Home, 84 Lemarchant Road from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. In lieu of flowers, nothing would have made Greg prouder than donations towards Wounded Warriors, an organization doing wonderful things for folks who served in Canada’s Armed Forces. www.woundedwarriors.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gregory Greg Haynes 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Torbay, Province: T-N