ROBERT GORDON HAYES

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ROBERT GORDON HAYES December 10, 1951 - July 29, 2010 On August 2, 2010 several family members and a great many friends came together just outside of Buffalo, NY to say goodbye to Bob who lost a brave fight against cancer. He was a loving companion, father, grandfather, brother and uncle as well as a treasured friend to many. Bob was much loved by his partner Suzanne and her daughters Christine and Melissa Turk. His daughter Elizabeth and son David (Molly) as well as his grandsons William and Sean will miss him and treasure his memory as will his brothers Bill (Ingrid) and Ray (Diana), and sisters Carol (Bob) Stanbury and Mary (Rick) Hinam. A host of nephews and nieces will miss Uncle Bobby's antics at family get-togethers - especially his Joe Cocker imitation. Patrick Powis (Sandra), Patricia Powis, Gordon Hayes, Cathy Ste. Marie (Jamie), Rhiannon Hayes, Heather Hinam, Kelly Hinam, and Mackenzie Hayes all loved their uncle and will remember many great visits. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Bob did most of his growing up in Windsor Park where he played hockey for Winakwa Community Club. He also enjoyed football, baseball and lacrosse and loved golf from an early age. Bob graduated from Windsor Park Collegiate and was awarded a scholarship from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. His schoolmates and teammates aptly nicknamed him Purple Hayes and Bob became an outstanding member of the hockey team and school community. Bob also had an avid passion for travel, and his incredible journey was filled with adventures throughout the world. His hockey career continued in Europe, where he played professional hockey for two years, first in Italy and then in Switzerland. Bob then returned to the United States, working first in Boston and then Buffalo pursuing careers in the insurance field and the airline industry. Most recently, he worked for Delta Airlines out of Minneapolis, MN, where he created an environment of teamwork in the workplace, was much respected by his colleagues, and built steadfast friendships. While working in Minneapolis, his home truly remained in Buffalo, where he devoted his time to his loving companion Suzanne, his children and grandchildren, and Suzanne's children Christine and Melissa. His association with the Nichols School alumni hockey players and avid golfers of the area brought joy and endless fun to so many and he was blessed with a dedicated and lifelong circle of friends. In recent years we were fortunate to have Bob and Elizabeth and later Suzanne as well fly home for more frequent visits which we all enjoyed greatly. When illness struck family and friends supported him as he fought for more time but only won nine months. He passed peacefully surrounded by family and his oldest and dearest friends. We will miss him greatly.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 14, 2010