Obituary of Richard R. Hayes

Warrensburg: Richard Ray Hayes, 50 of Oak Street, went to join his family in heaven after being stricken while spending a wonderful surprise birthday party with all of his family and friends on Monday afternoon, May 28, 2007. Born May 28, 1957 in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Richard Ray and Ethel (Belden) Hayes. Rick was a lifelong resident of the area and graduated from Warrensburg Central High School and BOCES carpentry programs. He started his career working for the Town of Warrensburg Conservation Department, Water Department and for the last 30 years with the Highway Department. Recently, Rick was appointed the Highway Superintendent and planned on running for the position this fall. He loved being a grandfather and uncle and spent a lot of time with his grandson, Ryan. Rick’s greatest pleasures included the hours spent with his wife and family, camping, hunting and fishing. He enjoyed planting vegetables and flowers in his garden, cooking for and being with his friends and family and was an avid NASCAR fan. Rick would want everyone he worked with to know how much he loved them and how much he enjoyed his job. He was a very happy, easy going and hardworking person. He was a great listener and a friend to everyone. Besides his parents, his aunt Flossie Hayes and his brother in law, Kenneth Steves have both predeceased him. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 32 years, Donna (Alger) Hayes of Warrensburg; his two daughters, Shannon Hayes and her fiance, Derick Hanchett; Ricci Smith and her husband, Jason all of Warrensburg; his three sisters, Patricia Steves of Warrensburg, Kimberly Morris and her husband, Thomas of Wilmington, Mass; Mary Hill and her husband, Delbert of Warrensburg; his brother, Terri Hayes and his wife, Brenda of Warrensburg; his grandson, Ryan Michael Smith of Warrensburg; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call on Rick’s family from 2-4 and 7-9 pm Thursday at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. Funeral services will be conducted 10 am Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Guy Goodell of the Greater Glens Falls Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow the service Friday in the Warrensburg Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary (Wally) Ross, Robby Hall, Ed Pennock, Ed Harrington, Bruce Tyrell, Greg Fish, Dan Daly, and Dave Olden. Honorary bearers will be Rick Galusha, Rudy Squires, Dusty Wood, Terri Hayes, Jason Smith, Derick Hanchett and Hiram Kennedy. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Warrensburg Vol. Fire Co. or to the Warrensburg EMS, Warrensburg, NY 12885. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.