FRANKLIN: Scott C. Hayden

Scott C. Hayden, 71, of Wrentham, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA.

Born in Needham, MA, he was the beloved son of George P. Hayden and Frances L. (Clark) Kelleher, and stepson of Richard B. Kelleher.

He is survived by his sister Dianne L. Kelleher of North Attleboro, his sister Alison (Hayden) Schmidt of Salem, and his brother and sister-in-law, Rick Hayden and Margaret Ranieri Hayden of Franklin.

Scott was the proud uncle of Nick Hayden, Erick Hayden, Kelli Bugbee, and Georgia Schmidt, and the great-uncle of Jameson, Dean, Evelyn, Andrew, and Bruce.

Scott was a natural athlete in his youth and loved outdoor sports. In the fall of 1970, at the age of 15, he was injured and paralyzed while playing in a Franklin High School varsity football game. After many operations and a lengthy recovery, Scott independently completed his studies and graduated with his class of 1972. He went on to graduate with honors from Dean Junior College and study accounting at Babson College.

He developed a love of fast cars, particularly drag racing, and a “need for speed.” His extensive knowledge of performance products was valued by both amateur and professional auto enthusiasts. A huge fan of the NHRA, Scott would travel with friends and, if need be, alone, to his favorite tracks in Gainesville, Florida; Englishtown, New Jersey; Epping, New Hampshire; and many others.

Scott was a great drummer before his accident, loved music, and would seek out live performances to attend with his sister, Dianne, and lifelong friends (former bandmates) Rob Gould and Joe Ranieri.

For many years Scott was a member of Moray Wheels, an adaptive scuba diving group in Boston. He dove in the New England Aquarium’s Giant Ocean Tank and around many Caribbean islands, enjoying the liberating buoyancy.

Scott had a wicked sense of humor and was always independent, cool, and well-mannered. Nicknamed Superman by his family for his endurance and ability to beat the odds, he set the bar high and inspired others to never give up. He never did!

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, April 16, from 4-7 p.m. at R.J. Ross Funeral Home, 135 South Street, Wrentham. The funeral service will be held on Friday, April 17, at 11:00 a.m. at Original Congregational Church, 1 East Street, Wrentham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, christopherreeve.org