Joseph F. Hayes, Sr.

Joseph F. Hayes, Sr. 74, of Lakeland, FL, and former longtime resident of Stoddard, NH, passed away peacefully at home after a long period of failing health surrounded by members of his family on Dec. 15, 2013. He was born Dec. 8, 1939, in Salem, MA, son of the late Francis and Dorothy (Therrio) Hayes. He grew up in Salem and graduated from St. Mary""s High School in Lynn, MA. He served in the Air National Guard. He attended Indiana University and Boston University and became a licensed inhalation therapist. He worked with a physician who pioneered inhalation therapy equipment and he taught the first technicians in the field on the use of the equipment. He was President for many years of Respiratory Therapy Systems. He lived with his family in Dracut, MA, Stone Mountain, GA, and Bogot"", Columbia before returning to the United States to purchase a home on Granite Lake. For many years he owned and operated his own company in Keene, as a representative of Haverich-Ortho Sport, a German company providing adaptive bicycles and mobility devices to special needs children and adults. He was an active Communicant and Eucharistic Minister of St. Joseph""s Catholic Church, in Lakeland and former communicant and Eucharistic Minister of St. Bernards Catholic Church in Keene. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree, St. Joseph""s Church, in Lakeland, and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, St. Bernard, in Keene, NH. He was a former member of the Lions Club and the Keene Rotary Club. He was fluent in Spanish and conversant in French, Italian, German and Japanese. He loved golf and was a longtime member of the Keene Country Club. He was a ham radio enthusiast with the call letters AEIK. He loved cooking, photography, and a variety of music especially opera. He was a life-long learner and enjoyed life. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his family and he always made family gatherings special with his cooking, love of music and ever present sense of humor. Survivors include his loving wife of nearly 53 years, Arlene C. Hayes; and his five children: daughter, Sharon M. Hampton, of Belmont, NH; sons, Joseph F. Hayes, Jr., of Keene, NH; John F. Hayes, of Keene; Timothy J. Hayes, of Lakeland, and daughter, Christine M. Ferguson, of Pembroke, NH,. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Callie and Alex Hampton, children of Sharon and Kevin Hampton; Brian Connor, son of Joseph F. Hayes, Jr.; Rebecca and Samantha Hayes, daughters of John and Susannah Hayes; Thomas and Matthew Ferguson, sons of Christine and Geoff Ferguson. He is predeceased by his sister Dorothy Lamprey. Services in Lakeland were held Thursday Dec. 19, at St. Joseph""s Catholic Church, and a memorial service in Keene will be held at a date to be determined in summer of 2014. Arrangements are being made by Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Catholic Charities. Service: 12/19/2013 St. Josephs Catholic Church