Calvin Charles Haywood

Calvin Charles Haywood passed away April 26, 2021 of natural causes. Calvin (aka Chucky, aka Wood) was born in Cleveland, OH on June 7, 1953 but was raised in Jacksonville, FL. It was there where he graduated from William M Raines High School in 1971 before going on to attend Jones College. He quickly began his career at WJXT Channel 4 in Jacksonville working as a Cameraman, Producer and Director. That experience served as a launching pad to a new job in Bristol, CT working for a local television station and next to the then-fledgling ESPN in the early 1980s as one of the first directors for Sports Center.

In the 1990s, he made his way over to ABC Sports where he became the first African-American to direct its Wide World of Sports. Over the next couple of decades, he worked in both staff and freelance roles for ABC, ESPN, and the YES network, winning a Sports Emmy in 2002 for the 40th Anniversary special of Wide World of Sports.  Throughout his career he was a mentor to countless individuals.

Despite being a consummate professional, Calvin was a kid at heart. He loved all genres of music (his record collection included everything from Yes to Coltrane), all types of sports (his teams included everyone from the Milwaukie Brewers to the Borussia Monchengladbach club), and living life to the fullest. To the end, he was an avid golfer, natural comedian, and fiercely loyal friend.

Calvin was predeceased by his parents Irma and Theodore Kelly II, his father Clarence Haywood, and his brother Raymond Love Jr. He leaves behind his brothers Reginald Haywood (Tammy) and Theodore Kelly III (Alease); nephews Raymond Love Jr, Randall Haywood (April), and Alexander Love; nieces Christina Badger, Frances Love, Jaundalyn Haywood-Barker (Phillip), Nicky Wallace (Clarence), Marian Kelly, Brittany McDonald (Anthony), Brandy Johnson, Jenay Randolph, and Mariah Campbell (Kenshaine); a host of grand-nephews, grand-nieces, and cousins; and good friends Bobby Williams, Pearl Mackey, Marcus Williams, Gary Corbitt, Jeff Elmer, and the many other members of his found-family. 

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to their favorite charity in Calvin’s name in lieu of flowers.

Visitation is open to the public.
Funeral service is for family only.  

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