Jerold Anthony "Jerry" Hayes

1946 - 2022

Jerold "Jerry" Anthony Hayes died on Sunday, January 9, 2022, at the age of 75. He was born on January 15, 1946 to his now late parents John A. Hayes, Sr. and Audrey Allen Hayes. He was the devoted husband for 38 years to his late wife, Cynthia Marie Madere Hayes. They had been high school sweethearts and then, after seven years of marriage, they happily welcomed the birth of their only son, Brian Paul Hayes (Melissa Shaheen Hayes). Mr. Hayes was the very proud grandfather of Sabrina Hayes and Sierra Hayes. Jerry is further survived by his mother-in-law Joyce Randazzo Madere; his brother, john A. Hayes (Lorna); and his sisters: Janet A. Hayes LeBoeuf (Richard), Judith A. Hayes and JoAnn Hayes. He was predeceased by his younger brother Joseph A. Hayes, Sr. (Bobbie). As a youth, Jerry enthusiastically involved himself in the Boy Scouts of America, developing each of the skills that earned him all badges and qualifications to grant him the celebrated title of Eagle Scout by the age of 12. His go-getter spirit continued throughout his childhood as he began his career in sales by knocking on doors to sell American Greeting Cards and, then as a teen, when he sold brooms and mops for The Lighthouse for the Blind. In high school, Jerry became a student in the New Orleans Vocational Education program during which he studied at Alcee Fortier for half a day and in the afternoon he worked in the camera department of Maison Blanche. His fascination with photography led him to the Fairgrounds Racetrack where he practiced his skills taking photos of racehorses and their jockeys. In tandem with that he worked for the New Orleans NASA owned Michoud Assembly Facility in the film developing laboratory. After encountering an allergy to the developing chemicals, Mr. Hayes changed course and went into sales for Electrolux, eventually creating his own carpet cleaning business in 1971. Later, towards retirement, he became a tax preparer for H&R Block. In 2014, Jerry became actively engaged with the LSU Ag Center in the studies of botany (orchids specifically) and entomology (monarch butterflies) as a Master Gardener. He volunteered his services in conservation of natural habitats and environmental projects. In addition to his work ethic, Jerry possessed a truly charming sense of humor. As a boy growing up in the Irish Channel he was known to his buddies as "Groundhog". He cultivated with those guys his inveterate art as a jokester that cheered us all and supported him through the challenges in his life...even up to his last days with us. A private family farewell was shared on Friday, January 14, 2022 at The Garden of Memories Chapel of Peace Mausoleum. A future celebration in honor of Jerry's life may be provided in the future on Zoom.