Michael Joseph Hayes

Michael Joseph Hayes of Port Clinton, Ohio died peacefully in his home on March 27, 2026.

He is survived by his children: Donald Hayes, Michael (Nicole) Hayes and Heather (Kyle) Weber; grandchildren: Sean (Shaelyn) Hayes and Fisher Hayes; sibling: Kathy (Terry) Kordonowy and many nieces and nephews among other family and friends

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Angela Marie Hayes, wife Patricia Hayes, parents Lorraine and Ignatius Hayes and siblings Richard Hayes, Robert Hayes, Joseph Hayes, James Hayes, Mary Lou Hayes and Elizabeth Weatherby.

Michael was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 6, 1937, to Elizabeth (Lorraine) and Ignatius Hayes. He was the oldest of eight Hayes children. He grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis within Maplewood and attended McBride Academy, class of 55'. He was very active in sports growing up and often bragged about how he played soccer with the same group of guys that took the US to the Olympics in the summer of 1950. Following high school, he attended college for a semester but ended up leaving due to an illness. He held some odd jobs and eventually went to live with his aunt in Cleveland, Ohio, working as a delivery driver when he delivered a shoe shipment and met his wife Pat, the cashier in the shoe store. He was described as wearing a pink sport jacket and she fell in love at first sight. They were married on January 23, 1960, and had 4 children: Angela, Donald, Michael and Heather.

Michael eventually went on to have a career with Kraft and then found his true passion as a Boilermaker where he retired in 2010. His work took him to many different power plants throughout the US. He loved to travel and lived in various states throughout the years including Wyoming, Colorado, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. There were only a few states he had not traveled to.

Shortly after arriving in Port Clinton in 2003, Michael volunteered at Immaculate Conception School and helped teach gym class.

Michael was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and served as the secretary for many years. His current role was sending out birthday cards to his brother knights. You may not have been able to read his sloppy cursive, but you were always sure to get one in your birthday month. In his time with the knights, he helped build the current Denny Bergman Hall, always volunteered to work the Lenten Fish Fry's and had many colored shirts from the annual 4 P's events. He also very much enjoyed helping with the little children's events of the free throw competition or his favorite soccer shootouts.

In his later years, he remained active in Thursday night pool league and was the current captain of his pool team. He enjoyed attending sporting events, especially St. Louis Cardinal baseball games and soccer matches.

He found great joy being around others. There was not a single soul he met he disliked or did not find a way to engage with them. Even to his final days he still went out and socialized with friends. He will be deeply missed as Poppy, Dad, Papa Mike and dear old friend. To a fast boat ride and a solute with a Mich Ultra until we meet again, Slainte!

Friends and family are invited to gather on Monday, April 6, 2026, from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, with a Knights of Columbus Memorial Service at 7:30 pm, at Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home, 216 Washington Street, Port Clinton, Ohio. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 10:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Port Clinton, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Mike Hayes Memorial Scholarship to assist with tuition for students at Immaculate Conception School.