Gayland “The Rodologist” Hachey, 83, left this world on February 12, 2023, after a brief battle with leukemia. He was born on February 19, 1939, in Old Town, the son of Lawrence J. and Helen V. (Nelson) Hachey.
Gayland grew up in the “tough end” of Orono where he attended Orono schools, worked for Pat Farnsworth, and met his loving wife, Sylvia. Once married, they moved to Old Town where they raised two children. Gayland worked in the textile industry and worked at multiple mills, including a position as plant manager in Ellsworth. He was also sent around the states to set up and open new textile mills. His last job was for Bangor Hydro from which he retired to pursue his passion for fishing.
He moved his family to Veazie in 1981 and soon after established the world famous Hachey’s Rod and Fly Shop. His craftsmanship and unique engineering skills quickly gained the attention of salmon angling enthusiasts around the world. Not only did he create exquisite fishing rods and reel seats, but he also was an expert dyer and concocted exclusive recipes he used for product in his shop, as well as to create his one-of-a-kind salmon fly patterns. Notably, one of the greatest elements when visiting Hachey’s Rod and Fly shop was Gayland himself. From Google reviews to an appearance in a video by a world-renowned fly-fishing company, everyone agrees that Gayland’s extensive knowledge, enthusiasm to help others, and his fishing stories were the finest parts about the shop.
As his passion for all things salmon angling grew, he helped pioneer a way for Atlantic Salmon restoration on the Penobscot River. Gayland was a founding father of the Veazie and Eddington Salmon Clubs and continued to play a pivotal role in the Veazie club until his passing. His devotion to the Veazie Salmon Club and the Penobscot river restoration can be appreciated by his many awards and accolades including, the 1997 Penobscot Atlantic Salmon Award, the 2000 Normand Bacon Sportsman Award, the 2011 Wangan Award, and recognition certificates from inland fisheries and wildlife, and the federation of fly fisheries northeastern chapter.
Gayland always had a fishing story (or ten) ready to tell anyone who would listen. These stories originated from his many fishing trips per year. “Life’s too short,” he would say. For many years Gayland went to Alaska with his sights on the Alaskan King Salmon. He also enjoyed multiple yearly trips to the Canadian maritime provinces chasing his favorite big fish. He enjoyed spending lots of time in Doaktown at “camp” on the Miramichi River with his good friend Peter Dowling. He fished with local legends such as Bud Leavitt and famous legends such as Ted Williams who would complain that the ceiling going down stairs to the shop was too low. He was a local fisherman too and enjoyed time fishing the Penobscot river and crappie fishing in Maine lakes and rivers.
Gayland loved animals and dedicated hours a day feeding the birds, squirrels, groundhogs, and any wild animal that wandered into his backyard. With his remarkable craftsmanship, he built many clever gadgets to feed his outdoor friends including a basement window for the squirrels with a buzzer, so he never missed a furry friend’s visit even while at his work bench. He could often be found in the back yard hand feeding squirrels from his lounge chair.
Gayland was a breast cancer survivor after having a double mastectomy in 2009. He will be missed by many including all his fishing cohorts, his customers, members of the Veazie Salmon club, and his very special great-grandsons “Remy” and Maverick who kept him young at heart. He will be fondly remembered by his best friend Gary “Dinky” Dinkins who spent many years with Gayland fishing, learning how to build rods and tie flies, and drinking coffee in “Fishing Control Center.” A very special friend, Gerry Richardson, will warm-heartedly remember Gayland and all their rides and adventures together over the last 5 years.
In his last 3 weeks on Earth, he was lovingly cared for at his home by his daughter Karen and his very special friend David Walker.
Gayland was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Sylvia Hachey; two brothers, Shaler M. Hachey and Lawrence W. Hachey; two best friends, Mike Feldman, and Claude Westfall; and 3 beloved pets Nicky, Shadow, and Katie.
Gayland leaves behind his children, Karen Rustin and partner, Deryk Drake, and Michael Hachey and wife, Lisa; grandchildren, Nicole Hogan and husband, Chuck, and Matthew Hachey, and partner Madison Richardson; step-grandchildren, Alisha Tinkham and Partner, Matthew O’Neill, and Glen Tinkham; great-grandchildren, Remington “Remy” Hogan and Maverick Hogan; step great-grandchildren, Jaida Greenleaf and Emma Olivia and Miah Tinkham. He is survived by siblings Gary Hachey and wife, Ruthy and sister Sharon Sedaille. The family would like to thank his wonderful caring nurses Denise, Kim and Randy we couldn’t have done it without you.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorial donations or contributions be made in remembrance of Gayland to the Veazie Salmon Club 30 Old County Road, Veazie, Maine 04401 or The Maine Youth Fish and Game Association P.O. Box 337 Stillwater, Maine 04489. There will be a Celebration of life in late spring at the Veazie Salmon Club.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gayland Hachey, please visit our flower store.
Gayland grew up in the “tough end” of Orono where he attended Orono schools, worked for Pat Farnsworth, and met his loving wife, Sylvia. Once married, they moved to Old Town where they raised two children. Gayland worked in the textile industry and worked at multiple mills, including a position as plant manager in Ellsworth. He was also sent around the states to set up and open new textile mills. His last job was for Bangor Hydro from which he retired to pursue his passion for fishing.
He moved his family to Veazie in 1981 and soon after established the world famous Hachey’s Rod and Fly Shop. His craftsmanship and unique engineering skills quickly gained the attention of salmon angling enthusiasts around the world. Not only did he create exquisite fishing rods and reel seats, but he also was an expert dyer and concocted exclusive recipes he used for product in his shop, as well as to create his one-of-a-kind salmon fly patterns. Notably, one of the greatest elements when visiting Hachey’s Rod and Fly shop was Gayland himself. From Google reviews to an appearance in a video by a world-renowned fly-fishing company, everyone agrees that Gayland’s extensive knowledge, enthusiasm to help others, and his fishing stories were the finest parts about the shop.
As his passion for all things salmon angling grew, he helped pioneer a way for Atlantic Salmon restoration on the Penobscot River. Gayland was a founding father of the Veazie and Eddington Salmon Clubs and continued to play a pivotal role in the Veazie club until his passing. His devotion to the Veazie Salmon Club and the Penobscot river restoration can be appreciated by his many awards and accolades including, the 1997 Penobscot Atlantic Salmon Award, the 2000 Normand Bacon Sportsman Award, the 2011 Wangan Award, and recognition certificates from inland fisheries and wildlife, and the federation of fly fisheries northeastern chapter.
Gayland always had a fishing story (or ten) ready to tell anyone who would listen. These stories originated from his many fishing trips per year. “Life’s too short,” he would say. For many years Gayland went to Alaska with his sights on the Alaskan King Salmon. He also enjoyed multiple yearly trips to the Canadian maritime provinces chasing his favorite big fish. He enjoyed spending lots of time in Doaktown at “camp” on the Miramichi River with his good friend Peter Dowling. He fished with local legends such as Bud Leavitt and famous legends such as Ted Williams who would complain that the ceiling going down stairs to the shop was too low. He was a local fisherman too and enjoyed time fishing the Penobscot river and crappie fishing in Maine lakes and rivers.
Gayland loved animals and dedicated hours a day feeding the birds, squirrels, groundhogs, and any wild animal that wandered into his backyard. With his remarkable craftsmanship, he built many clever gadgets to feed his outdoor friends including a basement window for the squirrels with a buzzer, so he never missed a furry friend’s visit even while at his work bench. He could often be found in the back yard hand feeding squirrels from his lounge chair.
Gayland was a breast cancer survivor after having a double mastectomy in 2009. He will be missed by many including all his fishing cohorts, his customers, members of the Veazie Salmon club, and his very special great-grandsons “Remy” and Maverick who kept him young at heart. He will be fondly remembered by his best friend Gary “Dinky” Dinkins who spent many years with Gayland fishing, learning how to build rods and tie flies, and drinking coffee in “Fishing Control Center.” A very special friend, Gerry Richardson, will warm-heartedly remember Gayland and all their rides and adventures together over the last 5 years.
In his last 3 weeks on Earth, he was lovingly cared for at his home by his daughter Karen and his very special friend David Walker.
Gayland was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Sylvia Hachey; two brothers, Shaler M. Hachey and Lawrence W. Hachey; two best friends, Mike Feldman, and Claude Westfall; and 3 beloved pets Nicky, Shadow, and Katie.
Gayland leaves behind his children, Karen Rustin and partner, Deryk Drake, and Michael Hachey and wife, Lisa; grandchildren, Nicole Hogan and husband, Chuck, and Matthew Hachey, and partner Madison Richardson; step-grandchildren, Alisha Tinkham and Partner, Matthew O’Neill, and Glen Tinkham; great-grandchildren, Remington “Remy” Hogan and Maverick Hogan; step great-grandchildren, Jaida Greenleaf and Emma Olivia and Miah Tinkham. He is survived by siblings Gary Hachey and wife, Ruthy and sister Sharon Sedaille. The family would like to thank his wonderful caring nurses Denise, Kim and Randy we couldn’t have done it without you.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorial donations or contributions be made in remembrance of Gayland to the Veazie Salmon Club 30 Old County Road, Veazie, Maine 04401 or The Maine Youth Fish and Game Association P.O. Box 337 Stillwater, Maine 04489. There will be a Celebration of life in late spring at the Veazie Salmon Club.
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