Deacon Myles 'Ray' Hayes, 84

Deacon Myles “Ray” Hayes, 84, passed away peacefully on Dec. 3 at Whitney Place of Northborough. He lived with Dementia of the Alzheimer type for the last several years. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Rita A. (Sawyer) Hayes. He was the beloved son of the late Myles P. and Nora E. (Shea) Hayes. Ray was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend.  

He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his daughter, Kathleen Carlson and her husband, Mitchel of Charlton; his four sons, Patrick Hayes and his wife, Pamela of West Boylston; Daniel Hayes and his wife, Margaret of Paxton; Brian Hayes of Paxton; and Kevin Hayes and his wife, Deborah of Holden; as well as seven grandchildren, Michaela and Marissa Hayes, Steven and Tyler Carlson, and Joseph, Nora and Cara Hayes.  

Deacon Hayes was a graduate of Saint John’s High School and Clark University. He enjoyed his career with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts as an office manager. Ray was a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard Reserves. He attained the rank of CWO-4 (Chief Warrant Officer-4), and he was a member of the Retired Officers Association.  

Additionally, he enjoyed his volunteer work for many years with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, with the SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Everyone) Program of the Worcester Area, and with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Worcester County. Deacon Hayes was a devoted supporter of the Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope, an organization that helps ordinary people in the community who need assistance.

Deacon Hayes was a longtime member of St. George Parish, serving many years as a lector and with its men’s club. Later in life, he began an intense program of study with the Diaconate. Fulfilling his dream, he was ordained to the Diaconate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Worcester on December 8, 2001. He was assigned to Our Lady of Providence Parish at St. Bernard’s Church in Worcester, a position he cherished with love and respect for over twenty years.  

Throughout his lifetime, Deacon Hayes was a loyal member of the Toastmasters International organization, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was a past commander of the American Legion Post 204, and he earned the rank of a fourth degree Knight of Columbus. Ray was honored to become a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, in which he was devoted to strengthening the practice of Christian life and the works of the Catholic Church.  

Deacon Hayes was a man of great faith, kindness and compassion for others. He cherished his Irish heritage and enthusiastically shared his love of Irish music. He truly enjoyed his family, his friends, and his work in the community. He will be remembered fondly by everyone he encountered.  

Deacon Hayes’ family wishes to thank the staff at Whitney Place of Northborough for their compassion and quality care during his last two years.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with the family from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday at St. George Church, 40 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, 162 Webster Street, Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, Urban Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope, 242 Canterbury St, Worcester, MA 01603 or St. George Church, 40 Brattle St., Worcester, MA 01606. To share a memory or offer an online condolence visit www.milesfuneralhome.com.