Obituary of Edward James Hayduk

Edward James Hayduk, 64, of Simi Valley, California, passed away on December 10, 2016 at Simi Valley Hospital. Funeral services were held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in La Quinta, CA on Friday December 16, 2016 with Fr. James McLaughlin officiating, Ed was then laid to rest at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City surrounded by family and close friends. Ed was born in Inglewood, California to Edward Joseph and Jean Anne Hayduk on October 2, 1952. He graduated from Palos Verdes High School and went on to Seattle University where he earned a Bachelors degree in Public Administration. Ed worked for the City of Renton, Washington where he was the Community Development Coordinator/Park Planner and Project Manager. In 1986, he returned to California and worked for the City of Redondo Beach for ten years. He was instrumental in obtaining a state grant for the City of Redondo Beach Main Library, which he then went on to manage during the planning and design phases. Ed also worked as the Project Manager overseeing eight other community projects in Redondo Beach. During this time period, he completed his Masters Degree at USC in Urban and Regional Planning. In 1996 he and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Simi Valley where Ed became the Assistant General Manager of the Rancho Simi Recreation and ParkDistrict. During his 17 years with the park district, Ed coordinated planning and design of 18 park projects and added playground equipment to 15 existing parks. Ed was truly a visionary and his many beautiful parks will be his legacy to the communities he served. Ed had a passion for USC football, spending time in La Quinta with his wife, Cheryl, and listening to the music of Frank Sinatra. He spent his leisure time in his beautiful garden with his loyal dog, Sumac. Ed was a born leader and a take charge kind of guy, everywhere he went he was in charge. There was never a dull moment when spending time with Ed. He was a hard worker that received awards for his many accomplishments. Ed had a great sense of humor and a boyish love for being mischievous. He was caring, loving, gentle-hearted and generous, a truly benevolent soul. Ed is survived by his wife, Cheryl of Simi Valley, California, his brother Tom of Canoga Park, California and his brother John of Woodinville, Washington. He was preceded in death by his brother Mark, who passed away in 2012. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Allison, Nicole, Evan, Tyler, Lunada and Izak. A memorial to celebrate Ed’s life and professional accomplishments will be held in Simi Valley on Friday, January 20 at 2:00 PM. For more information, or to RSVP, please email haydukmemorial@gmail.com.