Passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with brain cancer on Monday, October 3, 2011 at the age of 75. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Joan, children Allison and Richard, and a large extended family. He has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to all who knew him and taught us that we all have the capacity to find the good in others.
Personal Memorial:
It has come to my attention that the Mary Mother of God Columbian Squires Circle of Knights of Columbus Council 14446 will be considering a name for their Circle. The name of Brother and Sir Knight Nat Haynes has been suggested and I have been asked to formulate a biography for consideration by the candidates. I am extremely honoured and privileged to do so.
Nathaniel (Nat) Haynes passed away as a result of a long battle with brain cancer on October 3, 2011. The funeral was held at Mary Mother of God Parish on October 8, 2011. Nat is survived by his wife Joan and two children, Allison and Richard.
Nat came to us from St. Lucia. Up until a few years ago, he and his wife Joan would share their time with us here in Canada and their friends and family in St. Lucia, the latter being mainly in the winter months. I wonder why? Although I can not speak for his activities there, I have been advised by others that he and Joan were active there as well.
I was always impressed with Nat’s quiet strength. Sir Knight Nat was strong in character, and yet a quiet unassuming man. He was an inspiration to all who knew him, teaching us that we all have the capacity to find the good in others. He did not focus on himself but rather on others. He never spoke negatively about anyone. When confronted with an opportunity to do so, he would simply smile and move on. He was truly a humble man. Even in his last days, he did not want sympathy or any kind of recognition. It was all about his family and others.
My knowledge and experience with Nat began in 1996 when Mary Mother of God Parish was established. We first met at Ste. Marguerite d‘Youville School where our Masses were first held. Nat was a Minister of the Word from the very beginning and continued to fulfill this role until his illness did not allow him to do so anymore. As our Parish community developed, Nat and Joan became involved in the Capital Campaign to build our church structure. Many long hours were spent at meetings and finding ways assist in the financing of our new Church.
As one got to know Nat and Joan it was clear that they did a lot of things together, as a couple. He and Joan had a very special relationship, reflecting the true love that should exist in a marriage. They were committed to each other and yet had some separate focuses, with Joan being very active in the CWL and Nat in the Knights of Columbus. Brother Nat took his first Degree on September 25, 1996. Was it simple coincidence that he made a commitment to Mary Mother of God Parish which was founded on August 15, 1996, with just over a month later making the further commitment to the Knights? I do not think this was simple happenstance. It was more likely his exercise of faith at the urgings of the Holy Spirit. It was significant that he wanted to be of direct assistance to the faith community he benefited from, while at the same time embarking on a path of service to his Brother Knights and the community they serve.
On June 24, 2000, Nat joined the ranks of the 4th Degree. Sir Knight Nat took his degree at the old Constellation Hotel in Mississauga. From then on, he participated in many 4th Degree Honour Guards and Colour Guard events. He was a regular flag-bearer whenever we participated in Patriotic activities and the many Colour Guard practices that would lead up to ceremonial functions. Lady Joan very recently advised that the Knights were extremely important to Sir Knight Nat. They were extremely dear to his heart. It is also very clear from conversations with his family that he did not leave his Knights persona behind when he would holiday in St. Lucia. He, in fact, participated in Knights activities there as well.
Nat was never a member of Council 14446, having entered the Knights before its existence. It was always my firm belief that he would have transferred to Council 14446, had his health not begun to deteriorate at about the same time it was given its Charter. He therefore remained a staunch supporter of the Knights through his Council 3881. This should not sway the decision to select him as role model for the Columbian Squires at Council 14446, especially when one considers his committed role in the Parish, and the Knight’s broader perspective of inter-Council fraternity within the Order. Geography should not determine this issue.
His love and respect for the Knights and his belief in their role was clearly manifest throughout his service as a Knight and which was exemplified by the number of Knights in attendance at his funeral. It was extremely awe-inspiring to see so many Knights from several Councils and Assemblies in attendance. This, in and of itself, speaks volumes to the impact this man had on the lives of others. It is therefore clear that the naming of this Squires Circle would benefit from the example this man has given to society regarding God, faith, family, church and the social realm; and it should help that he comes from our very own faith community.
This limited biography is submitted for your consideration and I would hope that you give it serious thought.
God Bless and Vivat Jesus;
Gerry Kupferschmidt
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