John Michael Haydon

John M. Haydon, 79, of Mechanicsburg, passed away Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at the Carolyn Croxton Slane Residence of the Hospice of Central Pennsylvania. John was born in Theodoriana, Arta, located high in the mountains of western Greece. As a child, the most defining moment in his life came under German occupation, during the height of World War II, which he often referred to a matter of day to day survival. Afterwards, he learned the tailoring trade at the age of 15 years old. Later on, he served in the Greek military and fought alongside American soldiers in the Korean War under the United Nations Command. After the war, he immigrated to the United Stated of America in 1956 and became an American citizen shortly thereafter.

His love for America became the driving force for everything he accomplished. As a tailor, he operated in Harrisburg until 1972. Afterwards he moved to Mechanicsburg and established a custom tailoring and alterations business at Main and Walnut streets and has operated there for 38+ years. In his line of work, he was known as an artisan and craftsman, paying special care to details and had many returning customers because of his reputation for quality work. He was also an entrepreneur as a Real Estate developer, and owner of several restaurants and a tavern business in the 1970s. With less than a high school education, John never stopped trying to learn from life’s experiences and he believed that in America a person could accomplish whatever he wanted to with hard work and perseverance. As an example to others, he operated his business up until the day of his passing, and in the age of mass produced apparel, he never stopped practicing the tradesman ship that he loved.

John was a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Camp Hill.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Anna (Scotes) Haydon; son, Michael J. Haydon, of Mechanicsburg; 2 brothers, Gus M. Haydon and Christ M. Haydon, both of Mechanicsburg; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 AM, Wednesday, December 29, 2010, in Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1000 Yverdon Dr., Camp Hill, PA. Burial will be in East Harrisburg Cemetery. The viewing will be held, prior to the service, from 10:30 AM till time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Central Pa., Carolyn Croxton Slane Residence, 1701 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Arrangements under the direction of Neill Funeral Home, Camp Hill, PA.