1938 - 2026
Born in Worcester, he was the son of the late James E. and Julia (Barron) Hayes. Jim was raised in Shrewsbury and attended Shrewsbury High School, where he played football and rowed on the crew team. He later proudly served in the United States Army.
Jim spent more than 40 years working as a civil engineer for the Massachusetts Highway Department, contributing to numerous infrastructure projects across the Commonwealth before his retirement.
He was a member of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Westborough and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. His faith remained an important part of his life.
Known for his quiet and thoughtful nature, Jim listened carefully and spoke with purpose. Family and friends valued his perspective and advice. He carried a strong work ethic throughout his life and treated others with respect and grace.
Jim enjoyed sailing, gardening, and following Boston sports, remaining a lifelong fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins. For several years he kept a sailboat at Saquatucket Harbor on Cape Cod, where he enjoyed peaceful sails or relaxing aboard while reading and watching the harbor. In later years he also enjoyed following the stock market and keeping up with daily market activity.
In 1985, Jim and Dana purchased a home in West Harwich on Cape Cod, which became a gathering place for family for decades. He loved grilling in the backyard, spending time at the beach, and welcoming his children and grandchildren to enjoy time together. Jim and Dana also shared a love of music and dancing.
A devoted husband and father, Jim rarely missed his children’s activities while they were growing up, attending basketball and hockey games as well as piano and dance recitals. He and Dana frequently traveled to Syracuse University to visit their son and attend basketball games. In recent years, he remained deeply interested in the lives of his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting events whenever possible.
In addition to his wife Dana, Jim is survived by his daughter Dianna E. Chiott and her husband Matthew of Duxbury; his daughter Ruth M. Hayes of Acton; his son James J. Hayes and his wife Alicia of Acton; and his grandchildren Patrick J. Steeves, Anastasia M. Steeves, Julia D. Hayes, and Madeline A. Hayes. He was predeceased by his brother John “Jackie” Hayes and his sister Mary Ann McMahon.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 12, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main Street in Westborough. Burial will follow at St. Luke’s Cemetery.
A calling hour will precede the funeral Mass from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main Street in Westborough.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org.
