DENIS WILLIAM HAYES Q.C.

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DENIS WILLIAM HAYES Q.C. Denis passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2005. He leaves to mourn and cherish his memory his loving wife of 59 years, Cecilia, their two children, daughter Susan DeSeranno and son Denis Hayes; grandchildren, Spencer, Parker and Pierson Hayes and Maria, Don and Celia Aline and Suzie DeSeranno; great-grandchildren, Grace and Jackson DeSeranno; as well as his brother Clayton (Margaret) and their children, Joe, Mina, Jenny and Marnie. He was predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Mina Hayes. Denis was born in Moose Jaw on January 7, 1925 but moved to Brandon with his parents in 1938. In 1942, at the age of 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and after training, served for the duration of the war in the North Atlantic theatre aboard HMCS Red Deer and HMCS Inch Arran. After the war, he returned to Brandon and completed high school. He then attended St. Paul's College and Manitoba Law School from which he obtained an LLB degree in 1951. After graduating and completing his articles, he established the firm of Morkin, Hayes and Dobroworski and practised law with that firm in Winnipeg for nearly 40 years. In 1990, he joined Kleysen Transport Ltd. as general counsel in which position he remained until he retired in 1998. In addition to his law practice, Denis founded Polaris Leasing Co. Ltd. and was its president and principal shareholder for many years while it carried on an office equipment leasing business in Manitoba. Denis was an avid outdoor sportsman. First and foremost a game bird hunter, he never missed going out on opening day of every hunting season. Many happy years were spent with his hunting buddies, Ernie, Hubert, Bud, George and his son Denis, at their hunting lodge at Fisher Branch, MB. Denis was interested in birds of all kinds which be observed and studied with care until he was able to identify over 100 species on sight in the field. He was also an enthusiastic gardener and managed to grow a respectable vegetable garden every year. His other interests included woodworking and making furniture and he turned out many beautiful pieces. As well, the study of geography, military history and researching his family tree. Later in life, Denis took up the sport of trap and skeet shooting and served as president of the Winnipeg Trap and Skeet Club for several years. Denis was a firm but compassionate, generous and wise man and extremely generous with his time and many clients would have benefitted by his counsel. Funeral mass will be held at St. Ignatius Church (corner of Corydon and Stafford) at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31. Fr. Brian Massie S.J. will celebrate the mass. Interment will take place in the Roman Catholic section of St. Vital Cemetery on River Road, following the mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Denis' memory to the Canadian Cancer Society, 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3G 9Z9 or the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation, 200 - 6 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3L 0K6. LeCLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 30, 2005