Obituary of Bernard W. Hayes

Bernard W. Hayes, 64, of Pattersonville Rd., Amsterdam, passed away Tuesday morning January 20th, 2009 at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Little Falls, NY on June 26, 1944 a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Sheppard Hayes. He was raised in Little Falls, NY and was a graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Little Falls in 1962. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving during the early 1960's. Mr. Hayes most recently worked for over 10 years at the Schenectady County ARC as a Bus Driver. He loved going to work and cared greatly for his passengers. He retired in 2006. Mr. Hayes was of the Roman Catholic Faith. He was an avid Baseball Fan and a huge NY Mets Fan. He also loved traveling to different Baseball stadiums, fishing and coin collecting. Bernard loved going back to Little Falls and visiting with his old friends and enjoyed going to work and having breakfast with his good friends. Above all Bernard just enjoyed being with his children, grandchildren and family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He married Bonnie L. Funk Hayes on March 8th, 1969. In addition to his loving wife survivors include his three beloved daughters, Michele Meier and her husband Kurt of Middle Grove, NY, Kimberley Carmona and her husband Monty of Amsterdam, and Stacey Hayes of Fonda, NY. Three brothers, Daniel Hayes Jr. of Syracuse, NY, David Hayes and his wife Josephine of Palm Beach, Florida and Eugene Richard Hayes of Albany, NY. Three sisters, Dorothy Bubencik of Richfield Springs, NY, Mary Hayes of Little Falls, NY and Elizabeth Finer and her husband Robert of Novato, CA. Loving grandchildren, Caterina, Monty Jr. and Madison Carmona and Alexis Priddle. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by both parents and three brothers, Jeremiah Hayes in 1951, Leonard Hayes in 1999 and John Hayes in 2002. Funeral services will be held on Saturday January 24th, 2009 at 11:00A.M. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave with Rev. Howard Sheffey presiding. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ft. Johnson. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday January 23rd, 2009 from 3:00PM to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 33 Everett Rd., Albany, NY 12203.