His parents, Mary E. (Wallbank) and Eldridge J. Haywood, Jr., welcomed their son into the world on February 28, 1945, in Keene, NH. He grew up in Keene and was a 1964 graduate of Keene High School.
A resident of Salem, NH for many years, John worked as a journalist with the Nashua Telegraph and later with the Diocese of Manchester, assisting with their liturgical publications.
John was an avid golfer and enjoyed bird watching and was a member of the National Audo bond Society. At the time of his passing, he was in the middle of writing a novel. Family meant the world to John, along with his many friends, especially his "Breakfast Club Boys".
John is survived by three children, Todd B. Haywood of Concord, NH, Ryan Haywood and his wife Hilary of Burlington, VT, Kellie Haywood-Minery and her husband Christopher Minery, of Portsmouth, NH; his grandchildren, Brennan Haywood and his partner Riley Harrington, Spencer Haywood and his wife McKenzie, Connor Haywood and his fiancé Lexi Demetriou, Emily Haywood-Minery, Carter Haywood-Minery, Brady Haywood-Minery, Emerson Haywood; a great-granddaughter, Marlene Haywood; and a sister Judith Haywood of Nashua, NH.
Family and friends are invited to call on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 5th at 11:00 am in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will follow the funeral mass in the West Cemetery, Bradford Road, Keene.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Haywood’s memory to the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at Mass General Hospital, to help patients with leukemia and leukemia research (support.conquer.org), 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114.
