Brian D. Hayes

WORCESTER___Brian David Hayes, 86, of Worcester, Massachusetts passed away Thursday morning, September 11th, at the University of Massachusetts Hospital, Memorial campus.

Brian was born and raised in Worcester, MA. to John and Blanche Hayes. After high school, Brian spent four years in the United States Air Force. During his final year in the Air Force, he married the love of his life, Lorna Jean Martin of Worcester. Not long after, he began working on the assembly line at General Motors in Framingham, where he stayed for more than twenty years. Brian then began working at the Big Y Supermarket in Worcester, where he spent another 20 years enjoying his interactions with both co-workers and customers alike.

Brian will be remembered for his friendly, sociable personality, wonderful sense of humor, and love of family. He loved being involved with his children's activities, often making their hobbies his own. He coached Little League baseball to spend time with his three sons, and continued coaching for the next 25 years. In his 50's, he followed in his two younger sons' footsteps when he accepted a role in a play in which the two sons were also featured, and then went on performing for many more years in various community theater groups. In his 60's, he became an umpire for his oldest son's 1860s vintage baseball team - where his reputation for fairness and friendliness made him a favorite even among opposing clubs. Over the years, few things gave him greater pleasure than visiting his daughter and her family in Ireland. Researching Irish culture and capturing his visits to Ireland in video form became another hobby.

A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Brian is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorna; four children, Diane Hayes Flanagan and her husband, Gerard of Doolin, Ireland; David and his wife, Cathy of Warwick, Rhode Island; Michael and his wife, Christine of Holliston, Massachusetts; and Steven of Providence, Rhode Island; and six beloved grandchildren, Rachel, Ava, Lily, Maddie, Henry, and William. Brian is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Pauline Hayes of Walpole; his sister, Paula Morrisette of Edgewater, Florida; and his brother-in-law, Terrence Martin, of New York City.

Brian's funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Our Lady of Loreto Parish Church, 37 Massasoit Road, Worcester, MA at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 25, 2025. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, Worcester. DIRSA - MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton Street, Worcester is directing funeral arrangements. www.worcesterfuneral.com