In Loving Memory

Jim and Mary Louise Hayter

Jim and Mary Louise Hayter

Self-sacrifice is challenging for many of us, but for Jim and Mary Louise Hayter, it was part of their daily lives: in business, family and the wider community.

Both Jim and Mary Louise grew up in Alvinston, Ontario, where they raised a family and built their HVAC business. The company, established by Arnold Douglas in 1952, was bought by Jim Hayter in 1982 and renamed Jim’s Plumbing and Heating. In 2007, it was renamed again to The Hayter Group.

For a brief time in the beginning, Mary Louise worked with her husband on the daily administrative tasks in addition to her full time job. She also brought passion and her caring nature to careers as a registered nurse’s assistant (RNA) and an educational assistant (EA) before returning to the Hayter Group after retirement.

As with most businesses, the early years were challenging but the burdens and stresses of running a company never interfered with the closeness of the Hayter family unit. Their son, Chad, who now runs the company, recalls a childhood filled with love and support.

Both Chad and his brother played team sports like hockey and baseball. In fact, joining a team was mandatory for the lessons on commitment and reliability. Jim and Mary Louise also supported their sons’ entrepreneurial ventures, ensuring that the boys served their customers well. Chad was encouraged to go on service calls on weekends and holidays to learn more about the HVAC business and customer service.

Jim and Mary Louise Hayter will also be remembered by those who benefitted from their volunteer work in the community.

Jim was the Ontario representative of the Canadian Volunteer Fire Services Association and served the Alvinston Fire Department for 44 years, 15 of those years as Fire Chief. He also served the Municipality of Brooke-Alvinston for three terms as councillor and was the Deputy Mayor at the time of his passing on March 16, 2017. He also helped the youth of the community as a member of the Alvinston Districts Optimist Club and was involved with the Canada 150 celebrations as chairman.

Mary Louise, a brain cancer survivor, is remembered by those who knew her as someone who put others’ needs ahead of her own. She was also the “glue” that brought everyone together, from bickering young boys to people in the wider community where she served until her passing on March 2, 2017.

Jim and Mary Louise Hayter will be missed, but their legacy remains through their sons, grandchildren, extended family, friends and the community they loved.