John A. Hayes Jr., 83

John A. Hayes Jr.

BLOOMFIELD, CONN. — John A. Hayes Jr., 83, of Bloomfield Conn., died on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, at home surrounded by family after a long struggle with multiple medical problems.

A Memorial Service for John will be held at Bloomfield Congregational Church, 10 Wintonbury Ave., Bloom-field, on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. John’s daughter, The Reverend Mary Beth Hayes and her partner, The Reverend Nan Baker will officiate. Interment will be in North Bridgton, Maine at a later date. In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 70, Wallingford, CT 06492, or Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 1933, Hartford, CT 06144-1933, in his name.

John was born on May 27, 1935, in Worcester Mass. He attended Grafton High School, earned his BA at University of Massachusetts, and received his Master’s Degree at Boston University School of Theology.

His career included more than 20 years as a computer programmer and systems analyst at Cigna, a Technical Writer at Pratt & Whitney and Electric Boat, and as a high school teacher. Family was the center of John’s life. He and his wife Nancy (Gates) Hayes celebrated a marriage of 56 years.

His loved ones include his son John, his wife Lisa and their children Samantha, Kelsey and her husband Mark, and Abigail and her husband Matt; his daughter MaryBeth, her partner Nan and their children Maret, Tessa and her husband Nick, Daniel and his partner Holly, and Hannah and her husband Derin; his son Mark, his wife Beth and their children Mark and Emma; his daughter Kat and her children Jack and Annabelle; his great-grandchildren Tessa and Nick’s Layla and Owen; his nephew Phil, his wife Holly and their daughters. Additionally, he had many good friends who enriched his life. John’s cherished canine companion, Velvet, faithfully accompanied him through his illnesses and death. His parents Jack and Freida, his brother Buz, and many other relatives predeceased him.

John was a busy and creative man who enjoyed woodcarving, building, sailing, interacting with nature, and having adventures on highways that he explored just because he had never done so before. His other home, a house he and family members had created overlooking Long Lake in Maine, was one of John’s most treasured places. It was often filled with family, friends, and holiday celebrations. He was an active member of New England Woodcarvers, Connecticut Woodcarving Association, and Mystic Carvers Club and supported many other carving groups in various locations, including senior centers. Through his involvement in these groups, he enjoyed both the carving and his closest friends. John was particularly renowned for his cottonwood bark carvings.

The Carmon Funeral Home of Windsor is caring for the arrangements. For directions or to leave condolences, please visit www.CarmonFuneralHome.com