Vancouver Island Masonic History Project
As part of our series on Vancouver Island Cemeteries – Masonic Interments, here is a page about Charles Hayward, former Mayor of Victoria, who is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery. Charles Hayward was a member of Vancouver & Quadra Lodge No. 2 in Victoria.
Charles Hayward’s house, built in 1885, is still standing at 1003 Vancouver Street in downtown Victoria. It is listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. His term as Mayor of Victoria saw the start of the Causeway project and the negotiations for development of the Empress Hotel, now a National Historic Site of Canada.
Here is Charles Hayward’s 1919 obituary in the Daily Colonist:
“RESPECTED PIONEER HAS PASSED AWAY
Ex-Mayor Hayward Succumbs To Illness After Active and Useful Life Spent In This City
Mr. Charles Hayward, one of Victoria’s pioneers, who has been in failing health for some months past, died last night shortly before midnight. Mr. Hayward, up to a few years ago, was one of Victoria’s most active and progressive citizens, having in turn occupied almost all municipal public offices within the gift of the citizens.
Deceased was born in Stratford, England in 1839, and left his native land to migrate to Victoria in 1862, having just previous to leaving, married his late wife, then Miss Sarah Chesney, and who followed her husband to this country some six months later, traveling by way of Cape Horn in a Hudson’s Bay Company sailing ship, while Mr. Hayward reached here by way of Panama and had prepared a home in the then British colony. Mrs. Hayward died in Victoria in 1901. Mr. Hayward, during his active life, had always been identified with the welfare of the city, having been school trustee for years, then alderman and finally mayor. He was an active worker in connection with the Protestant Orphans’ Home [note: now the Cridge Centre] and was its president for many years. It was under the mayorality of the late Mr. Hayward that the James Bay Causeway was successfully launched and the success of that scheme and the subsequent building of the Empress Hotel on a portion of the reclaimed land was largely due to the indefatigable work of the deceased gentleman.
Mr. Hayward was identified with most of the fraternal orders of the city, and was one of the original members of the Pacific Club [note: no longer in existence] and had occupied the position of president of the latter organization some years ago.
Three children are left to mourn his loss – Mrs. W.S. Fraser [note: Walter S. Fraser was also a Freemason. We will be adding a page about him in the near future], Mr. Ernest Chesney Hayward and Mr. Reginald Hayward, all residing in this city. Six sons and daughters predeceased their father. There are eleven grandchildren living.
The funeral will probably take place on Friday next.”
(Source: Daily Colonist, 9 July 1919, page 1)
“Note of Sympathy – The School Board last night passed a resolution expressing sympathy with the relatives of the late Charles Hayward, former mayor and ex-chairman of the school board, who died Tuesday. The resolution was moved by Trustee George Jay, senior member of the board, and seconded by Trustee R.W. Perry. The flag at the city hall was at half-mast yesterday in respect to the pioneer Victorian.”
(Source: Daily Colonist, 10 July 1919, page 6)
Here are links to some historic photographs of Charles Hayward:
- City of Victoria Archives photo M09536 – Charles Hayward, circa 1900
- City of Victoria Archives photo M00417 – Mayor Charles Hayward and City Council, 1900
Charles Hayward is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
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