Obituary of Thomas W. Hayes

Thomas William Hayes of Saginaw MI got his angel wings and passed away peacefully on the morning of February 1, 2022. Tom was surrounded by loved ones in his final days. He was born April 25th, 1937, the second of five children born to John H and Ellen Margaret Hayes in Alpena Michigan. Tom is superseded in death by his parents, his brother John R Hayes, sister-in-law Maria Quissar Hayes, nephew John R, Jr. Hayes and his brother-in-law William T Field. He is survived by his siblings Mary Hayes Field, Susanna Hayes and Frank (Jane) Hayes. He is also survived by his eleven nieces and nephews, eighteen grand nieces and nephews and one great grandnephew. He adored them all and loved keeping up to date on “all his kiddies.” They lovingly referred to him as Uncle Bomber. He was always larger than life to all his kiddies and there are so many happy memories of trips to Higgins Lake, lunches at McDonald’s, picking out a toy at the local toy store, sitting at the local fishing spot or just being silly and enjoying the gift of being together.

 

He attended high school on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. He left his seminary training and started teaching fifth-eighth grade children at St. Helen’s school in Saginaw, MI. He enjoyed his time teaching children in the Saginaw community. He then began working in the urban renewal program in Saginaw, which led him to his career with General Motors at the Saginaw plant. He would encourage his GM coworkers to continue their education and would also share his faith. Tom deeply cared for all those who worked with him at the plant. They were his buddies, friends and family. They lovingly referred to him as “the Pope.” He loved to tell the story of how he would drive up in his white Buick and they would all say, “here comes the Pope in his Pope mobile.”

 

His immense faith and joy for life was evident to all who knew him. Tom always loved a weekend visit with family and friends or a visit back to South Bend. His big heart and booming voice will be missed by all those who knew and loved him. We can all say that we gained one strong angel in Heaven. Rest in Peace Sweet Uncle Bomber!

 

The family is grateful to all of Tom’s Saginaw, Notre Dame and Traverse City friends who kept him close in their thoughts and prayers, and the staffs of Bay Ridge Memory Care, Hospice of Northern Michigan and Munson Medical Center for attending to his physical and spiritual needs with compassionate care in his final days. Deisler Funeral Home of Saginaw is providing services for his internment at St. Andrew’s Cemetery. Tom has requested that a private family celebration be held in his memory at Notre Dame during the summer of 2022. Donations may be made to the Religious Sisters of Mercy c/o Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks RSM, 705 Hoyt Ave Ste. 1, Saginaw, MI 48607-1751 or a charity of your choice.

Please share your thoughts and memories with the family through www.DeislerFuneralHome.com

 

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