Donald Hyden

Don was born on April 8, 1940 to Anne Kathryn and William Spencer Hyden in River Herbert, Nova Scotia, Canada. He graduated from Waterloo Lutheran University in Waterloo, Ontario with a degree in Business Administration. He followed college with an executive career that began with Eaton Corporation in Canada and continued with positions of increasing responsibility with Eaton and several successive industrial firms in the United States. He eventually retired to North Carolina to be with family.

Don had been enjoying retirement until unexpectedly last year the pandemic called him back into the workforce - when he cheerfully changed career paths and proceeded to achieve what ended up being the capstone of his professional career – as the first grade teacher for his grandson Luke with the dining room table as the classroom.

Don is survived by his wife of 43 years, Norma J. Hyden, and children, Elizabeth (Chris) Elbert, Cindy (Mike) Seder, Vicky (Dan) Serany and John Zwick. He was a proud Grandpa / “Pa” to Luke and Andrew Elbert, Carley (Alex) Brese, Cayla and Cole Seder, Jacqueline and Brian Serany, and beloved master to his faithful rescue dog Lilly.

Don loved his native country of Canada and was passionate about both hockey and snowmobiling in the winter months. But he looked forward most of all to water sports in the summer. From sailing on Lake Muskoka in Ontario to boating on Chautauqua Lake in New York, and finally on his treasured Jordan Lake in North Carolina he was on the water as much as time allowed. For Don, being on the water served as the “Couch Time” name on the transom of the boat – it was his and Norma’s refuge - and for the pandemic it conveniently served as an isolation bubble 7 minutes down the road. Don will forever be remembered as an avid reader and a master fixer and tinkerer. And any dog that knew him knew he always kept the best treats hidden in his pocket.

Don had his own firm beliefs on how to live well and live respectably: always insist on the proper use of the Queen’s English; best to start the day with morning coffee klatch either on the water with dock mates in-season or in a garage with cul-de-sac neighbors off-season; dressing with one fleece sweater is OK but three is always better; Clive Cussler over John Grisham every time; always have more than one choice of chocolate within arm’s reach; Coke - never Pepsi; pick Chardonnay unless they have Pouilly Fuisse; and a petit filet, medium rare is the perfect dinner suitable for each and every night of the week.

He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

A celebration of Don’s life will be held at Apex Funeral Home, 550 West Williams Street, Apex, NC 27502 on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Noon.

For those who wish, please consider a donation in Don’s memory to Clean Jordan Lake, P.O. Box 1766, Cary, NC 27512-1766 (cleanjordanlake.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.apexfuneral.net for the Hyden family.