Joseph T. Hayes

1935 - 2022

Joseph T. Hayes
November 20, 1935 - August 22, 2022
Joseph T. Hayes, 86, passed on August 22, peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and friends.
He was the loving father of four children: Alison (Maurizio) De Cagna, Emily Hayes, Joseph O. (James) Hayes and Caroline (Udo) Hayes.
He also leaves four grandchildren – Christopher Hayes, Michael (Colleen) Hayes, Enzo De Cagna, Neil Adler – and one great-grandchild, Odhrán Hayes. He was the dear brother of Bernadette Ferguson and the uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by 12 other siblings. He was also the former husband and best friend of Isabel Hayes.
Joe was born to Thomas Hayes and Alice Hayes (née O'Donnell) in Ballingarry, County Limerick, Ireland. With the encouragement of his father as a young man growing up in a small Irish town, Joe decided to study the Morse code in Limerick City. He had always loved the sea and wound up traveling the world working as a radio officer with the British Merchant Navy.
In the late 1950s, Joe moved to California, joining his siblings in a new life in North America. The Hayes family had many lively get-togethers over the years and they passed on their beloved Irish traditions to their children.
Joe became a successful electrical contractor and also a real estate developer. Personally, he was a charming, intelligent and worldly man. He was largely self-educated and was well-read. He loved opera as well as a wide range of traditional world music.
As a father, he was gentle, rational and steady. He was fatherly but also a good friend to his four children and was always ready to offer sound advice. His children will also cherish memories of their fun trips with him abroad.
After retirement, he rekindled his interest in mosaic art and took regular trips to Ravenna, Italy to study the craft. Joe created dozens of mosaics in his later years, specializing in portraits. He was also a huge supporter of the artwork his devoted friend Isabel created.
Joe also studied personal essay writing and went on to compile his short stories into a self-published memoir. He dedicated the book to his wonderful parents. While working on the galley proofs for the book, he would recall with a smile Alice's wisecracks and Thomas's big, comforting hugs at the end of a long workday on the farm.
Friends and family may attend a funeral mass on August 30 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anselm Church, 97 Shady Lane, Fernhill Ave., Ross. A private interment will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma on August 31.
In lieu of flowers, the Hayes family requests donations to support prostate cancer research at the UCSF Foundation, Box 45339, San Francisco, CA 94145. Please make checks payable to the UCSF Foundation and note "in memory of Joe Hayes" in the memo line. Or you may contribute to a cancer nonprofit of your choice.