George Joseph Hayer

HAYER, Hon. George Joseph Hon. George Joseph Hayer, 89, of Highland Avenue, Greenfield, MA, died Tuesday, (November 15, 2005) at the Buckley Health Care Center, Greenfield, MA following a period of failing health. He was born in Adams, MA on November 24, 1915, to Abraham and Anna (Rud) Hayer. He was raised in Springfield, VT, where he attended local public schools, graduating as Valedictorian from Springfield High School in the Class of 1934. While in high school, he excelled as a member of the varsity football team and was named to the Vermont All-State Varsity Football Team. Judge Hayer was an honors graduate of the College of Holy Cross, Worcester, MA in the Class of 1938 and received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1941. He entered military life on April 9, 1942 and enlisted in the United States Army. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on December 7, 1942 and received his commission to the rank of First Lieutenant on March 2, 1943. He served with the Headquarters of the 13th Army Air Corps, as a Combat Intelligence Officer in the campaigns of the Southern Philippines, Northern Solomons and New Guinea. He was a recipient of the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with Bronze Service Star, the World War II Victory Medal and American Service Medal. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945 with the rank of Captain. Judge Hayer was admitted to both the Massachusetts and Vermont bars, but focused his law practice primarily in Massachusetts. He was a partner in the Greenfield Law Firm of Hayer, Callahan and Shea until 1972, when he was appointed as Superior Court Judge for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He served in that capacity until his retirement from the bench in 1985. Judge Hayer was elected Town Moderator for the Town of Greenfield for over 20 years and served several terms on the school committee in the 1950's. He was also a 30 year member of the Greenfield Rotary Club. He was an avid sports fan who particularly enjoyed watching football and baseball. He was devoted to his family, in particular to his grandchildren, whose interests he followed with great passion. He enjoyed reading and had a love of animals. He was a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church in Greenfield, MA. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 54 years, the former Lorraine D. Roberge, whom he married on October 1, 1951 in St. Michael's Church, Brattleboro, VT. In addition he leaves his children: Jeffrey M. Hayer of Greenfield and Christine H. Repasy and her husband Paul of Bloomfield. George leaves his grandchildren, Jarod Hayer of Tampa, FL; Elizabeth Hayer of Northampton, MA and Kurt Hayer currently at Boston College, Boston, MA. He is survived by a sister: Mary Hurd and her husband Edmund of Cape Elizabeth, NJ. Additionally there are several nieces and nephews. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be observed on Saturday, November 19, at Blessed Sacrament Church, 221 Federal Street, Greenfield, MA at 10 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Timothy J. Campoli, Pastor as the Celebrant. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family in St. Mary's Cemetery, Springfield, VT. Visiting hours will be private and at the convenience of the family, with Military Honors to be observed. At the request of the deceased, flowers are to be omitted and memorial contributions are recommended to the Pioneer Valley Humane Society, P.O. Box 786, Greenfield, MA 01302-0786. The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield/Turners Falls, MA have been entrusted with the arrangements. Messages of e-condolence may be directed to the Hayer family in care of the funeral home at www.mccarthyfuneral homes.com.