Logo of the Sean Hayhurst Memorial Foundation featuring a ship's wheel and a compass rose design.

About the Sean Hayhurst Memorial Foundation

Memorial at Eagle Creek Golf Course with a sign, flowers, and a sign commemorating Sean Hayhurst, with a sign for an annual golf tournament and a mailbox.

In 2023, we lost our son, Sean, in a tragic accident. His passing was a painful reminder that life is far too short - but Sean’s life showed just how much good one person can give in the time they have.

In his 38 years, Sean touched countless lives through quiet generosity, hard work, and an unwavering belief in others. Even with limited resources, he donated to countless causes, always finding a way to help someone in need. There is a meaningful quote by Jim Brown that says: “Put something into society that puts something into you.” Sean lived by those words every day.

The Sean Hayhurst Memorial Foundation was established to carry forward that legacy of giving.

In celebration of Sean’s life, the foundation raises funds through a small number of intentional events each year, donating directly to organizations and individuals who reflect the values Sean lived by: compassion, integrity, and seeing the best in everyone.

Our Mission

To date, the foundation has supported over 16 organizations in just over two years, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Folds of Honor, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, children’s hospitals, regional food banks, and local organizations serving communities in Chesapeake, Norfolk, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Funds raised at each event are directed back into the community connected to that event.

Every dollar raised goes toward making a meaningful difference.

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A blue triangular cloth with white stars resembling the American flag, folded into a triangle. Below it, the text reads "Folds of Honor."
Logo of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital featuring a child in a red silhouette reading a book. Text indicates the hospital's name and tagline, 'Finding cures. Saving children.'

Sean’s Legacy

Sean was a waterman at heart and spent more than a decade working on the Norfolk waterfront, supporting and repairing U.S. Navy ships through both private maritime companies and the Department of the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center. In fewer than three years, he earned multiple performance-based promotions - recognized for his work ethic, leadership, and commitment to doing what was right, not just what was required.

He believed in people. He believed in second chances. He helped coworkers, friends, and even strangers without expectation - whether supporting a child’s opportunity to compete in sports, helping someone in crisis find stability, or making sure animals from shelters had a better life. His heart was constantly open and ready to give, with no judgement and no strings attached.

Sean loved sports, especially baseball, football, basketball, and golf - which is why the foundation’s annual golf tournament continues to bring together friends, coworkers, and supporters from across multiple states. Many attend simply to take a swing in his memory.

The foundation exists to remind us all to continue living “the Sean Hayhurst way” - with generosity, humility, and a commitment to leaving the world better than we found it.

With your support, Sean’s legacy of giving continues, one act of kindness at a time.

Donate To The Foundation
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