Arthur Hayes
December 12, 1952 - October 28, 2025
Arthur was known for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor — if there was a joke to be made, he was always the one to tell it. He loved making those around him laugh and could even get the youngest family members giggling with his mischievous and amusing spirit. Beneath his humor, however, was a man of deep principle and conviction. He held ethics and integrity in the highest regard, and his lifelong passion was the law and the protection of free speech. As an educator, he dedicated his career to teaching First Amendment rights and media law, inspiring generations of students to think critically and defend the power of expression.
Arthur had a profound love and knowledge of music history, from performers to songwriters. His favorites included The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and The Beatles. It was not uncommon to hear him burst into one of his favorite tunes while working on one of his many books.
A devoted basketball fan, Arthur's love for the game began early — as a boy, he would head straight from school to the nearest court to shoot hoops. He remained a passionate supporter of the New York Knicks throughout his life, never missing a game night.
Arthur received a full scholarship to the Dwight School, a college preparatory school in New York City, and went on to earn both an academic and basketball scholarship to Fordham University. He later obtained his doctorate from Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Arthur was the published author of three influential books on law and media: Press Critics are the Fifth Estate, Mass Media Law, Symphony for the Cyberbully, and was editor and contributor to the book Communication in the Age of Trump. Most recently, Arthur was putting the finishing touches on his first novel. In addition, Arthur was an accomplished writer whose articles appeared in Tennis Magazine, The American Lawyer and The Wall Street Journal. Arthur also had several of his works published in Encyclopedia Entries.
For his exceptional work, Arthur earned multiple distinctions, including an Oxford fellowship in which he presented as an expert in the Media Policy Summer Institute, the Fordham Faculty Summer Grant and the Lexis Legal Writing Award, and was a finalist for the prestigious Tankard Book Award.
He retired after more than twenty years as a professor at Fordham University, following earlier teaching positions at Quinnipiac University.
Arthur is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy Davino Hayes, and his devoted mother, Florie Johnson.
He is also survived by his brother, Wayne Hayes; his nephew Kwame Hayes, and his wife Tanya, and daughters Chase and Tianna along with their granddaughter Mila; his niece Briana Bennett and husband Bob, along with their children Maya and Parker.
Arthur is also survived by his stepchildren:
Paul and Beth Cereghini, Lisa and Brian Lersner, Lenore Cereghini, Lauren and Don Gergle.
His memory will also be cherished by his grandchildren — Tony, Bobby, Kate, Rick, Andrew, Rob, Steve, Lindsay, Hannah, Joy, Noah, and Faith — and his great-grandchildren — Elliott, Paul, Bella, Weston, Liza, Lana, Uriah, and Arlo.
Arthur was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Lee Hayes, his beloved grandchildren Michael and Nathanial, and his precious great-granddaughter Zoe.
Arthur's humor, intellect, and unwavering belief in the power of words will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Service
A service in honor of Arthur will be held Saturday, November 8, 11:00.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
628 Main St.
Stamford, CT 06901.
The family asks for donations instead of flowers to be made in Arthur's name to the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, https://www.foodbanklfc.org/.
December 12, 1952 - October 28, 2025
Arthur was known for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor — if there was a joke to be made, he was always the one to tell it. He loved making those around him laugh and could even get the youngest family members giggling with his mischievous and amusing spirit. Beneath his humor, however, was a man of deep principle and conviction. He held ethics and integrity in the highest regard, and his lifelong passion was the law and the protection of free speech. As an educator, he dedicated his career to teaching First Amendment rights and media law, inspiring generations of students to think critically and defend the power of expression.
Arthur had a profound love and knowledge of music history, from performers to songwriters. His favorites included The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and The Beatles. It was not uncommon to hear him burst into one of his favorite tunes while working on one of his many books.
A devoted basketball fan, Arthur's love for the game began early — as a boy, he would head straight from school to the nearest court to shoot hoops. He remained a passionate supporter of the New York Knicks throughout his life, never missing a game night.
Arthur received a full scholarship to the Dwight School, a college preparatory school in New York City, and went on to earn both an academic and basketball scholarship to Fordham University. He later obtained his doctorate from Quinnipiac University School of Law.
Arthur was the published author of three influential books on law and media: Press Critics are the Fifth Estate, Mass Media Law, Symphony for the Cyberbully, and was editor and contributor to the book Communication in the Age of Trump. Most recently, Arthur was putting the finishing touches on his first novel. In addition, Arthur was an accomplished writer whose articles appeared in Tennis Magazine, The American Lawyer and The Wall Street Journal. Arthur also had several of his works published in Encyclopedia Entries.
For his exceptional work, Arthur earned multiple distinctions, including an Oxford fellowship in which he presented as an expert in the Media Policy Summer Institute, the Fordham Faculty Summer Grant and the Lexis Legal Writing Award, and was a finalist for the prestigious Tankard Book Award.
He retired after more than twenty years as a professor at Fordham University, following earlier teaching positions at Quinnipiac University.
Arthur is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy Davino Hayes, and his devoted mother, Florie Johnson.
He is also survived by his brother, Wayne Hayes; his nephew Kwame Hayes, and his wife Tanya, and daughters Chase and Tianna along with their granddaughter Mila; his niece Briana Bennett and husband Bob, along with their children Maya and Parker.
Arthur is also survived by his stepchildren:
Paul and Beth Cereghini, Lisa and Brian Lersner, Lenore Cereghini, Lauren and Don Gergle.
His memory will also be cherished by his grandchildren — Tony, Bobby, Kate, Rick, Andrew, Rob, Steve, Lindsay, Hannah, Joy, Noah, and Faith — and his great-grandchildren — Elliott, Paul, Bella, Weston, Liza, Lana, Uriah, and Arlo.
Arthur was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Lee Hayes, his beloved grandchildren Michael and Nathanial, and his precious great-granddaughter Zoe.
Arthur's humor, intellect, and unwavering belief in the power of words will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Service
A service in honor of Arthur will be held Saturday, November 8, 11:00.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
628 Main St.
Stamford, CT 06901.
The family asks for donations instead of flowers to be made in Arthur's name to the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County, https://www.foodbanklfc.org/.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arthur Stewart Hayes, please visit our flower store.
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