John M. (Jack) Hayes, 88, passed away on December 2, 2022, surrounded by his family, who loved him immensely.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of Thomas Joseph and Catherine Frances Hayes. He was in the Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958, stationed in Okinawa, Japan and the Philippines. He also spent time working in Alaska and Hawaii as well as on multiple trips as an ordinary seaman on ships of the Merchant Marine.

He graduated from St. Joseph’s College in Philadelphia with a BS in Political Science in 1966. Upon graduation, he entered a 6-month education program in Washington D.C. sponsored by the Department of the Army in conjunction with American University and began a career in Computers and Information Systems. He later earned a master’s degree in Public Administration from American University. After a successful career, he started his pursuit of higher learning in the area of theological studies. He earned a MA in Theological Studies from Christendom College in Front Royal, VA in 2000, and an STB from Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, MI in 2009. Finally, at 78 years young, he received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. in 2012.

He was a devout Catholic, attending daily mass for many years of his adult life. He enjoyed singing in the church choir and being a lector at Sunday mass. He loved playing basketball, from pickup games with his friends as a young man to basketball in the driveway with his grandchildren. He was an avid sports enthusiast, particularly of basketball, baseball, football and boxing. He was even, ever so briefly, a professional boxer and had the deviated septum to prove it! He was a big fan of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and The Four Freshman and would often sing their songs around the house. Fortunately for his family, he had a great singing voice.

He loved to laugh and will be remembered for his outgoing personality and full of joy laugh. He gave the very best hugs and awesome shoulder rubs. He made the world’s most amazing “hot cakes”. He was something of a dog whisperer. He was described as the best neighbor and would go out of his way for someone in need without a second thought. He would drop everything to help his family and truly loved to be needed. 

He is survived by his children Marguerite Cooper (Warren), Jennifer Hayes and Father Christopher Hayes and their mother Suzanne Gaynor, his grandchildren Andrea Hart (Jason), Justin Hayes, Mairead Cooper (Sean Murphy), Ryan Cooper, Brendan Cooper and Caoilin Cooper, his great grandchildren Maretta Hart and Kellan Hart, his sister Mary Glatts, eleven nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Thomas Hayes, Jr. and his sister, Anne Sill. Each member of his family held a special place in his heart. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax, VA, at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow at the church hall at noon. Interment will be at Fairfax Memorial Cemetery at 2:30 pm. A procession will leave the church at approximately 2:00 pm for the cemetery.

The viewing will be held from 4:00-8:00 pm on Monday, December 12, 2022, at Fairfax Memorial Park Funeral Home in Fairfax, VA. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.