Obituary
Mike Hayes passed away peacefully at the age of 87 years on June 20th, 2022 in Fairview, Alberta.
Mike was born in Coleman, Alberta on January 15, 1935 to Bertha and Jack Hayes. The Hayes family of 8 moved from Maycroft in Southern Alberta to Eureka River in the 30’s due to drought. Ben Basnett (Bertha’s brother) lent them a truck to relocate. With driver Ray Hoover they moved to Ben’s old place in 1936. They arrived on the very day his future bride to be (Mary Hoover) was born.
In 1944 they (the family) moved to Fairview where Bertha took in boarders and Jack looked after the skating rink. Mike played hockey, was in the cadets and was active in the Catholic church. He finished his schooling in Fairview in 1950 when his parents purchased a quarter of land in Eureka River.
Mike enjoyed riding horses, loved the outdoors and always wanted to own a farm. He had many adventures growing up, some involving the Bean boys, Danny Yaeger and Manny Dixon, to name a few, which became the source of many enjoyable stories. He worked at various jobs in the area and at a sawmill in Kamloops, BC with his brother Bill.
In 1957 he married Mary Hoover on July 8th. He had already built up a nice herd of cattle and a few horses by this time. Mike and Mary worked together to build a beautiful farm while raising their four children. He worked away a lot in the seismic field to help support the farm life, as many did at this time.
In the 70’s Mike and his family were very active in the Valley Rider’s Saddle Club. He also helped organize the End of Steel Cattle Company in Hines Creek. This allowed cattlemen more ways to sell their cattle independently. Mike loved the western way of life and enjoyed many rodeos, cowboy poetry gatherings, gymkhana, roping and trail riding. He especially loved spending time with his cattle in his own back yard.
Hockey Night in Canada was a regular in Mike’s life. His love for the game which was evident in the time spent watching on tv and driving miles to watch children & grandchildren play the game. His ability to play guitar and piano was appreciated by his family as was his humor and skill in visiting and sharing life’s stories, enjoyed by many.
He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered by his family; his wife Mary, his children, John (Jo)Hayes, Sherri (Dave)Larsen, Lanny Hayes, Patty Hayes (Russ Duhn); 10 grandchildren, Curtis, Delaney, Kristin, Brielle (Ryan), Derek, Devin (Christine), Bryce, Chad, Shelane, Kale; as well as great grandchildren, Maddix, Zander, Aurora and Aspen; Nephew Michael (Marg) Collins; Niece Pat (Vern) Howrish; Sister-In-Law Ilene Hayes; Nephew Jason (Allyson) Hayes and many cousins, great nephews and nieces.
Mike was predeceased by his mother, Bertha Elizabeth (Basnett) Hayes; father John Joseph Hayes; siblings Eileen Hayes, Margaret (Peggy) Howden, Joseph (Joe) Hayes, Beryl Collins and William (Bill) Hayes.
Mike’s final wish was to have an immediate family gathering to celebrate his life. This will take place at the home of Dave & Sherri Larsen on July 18, 2022.
Donations can be made to the Fairview Palliative Care in his memory.
The stories of our lives are written moment by moment – in how we’ve loved, in the day to day things we’ve shared and in the many ways we’ve touched each other’s hearts.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Mike Hayes January 15 1935 June 20 2022..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Décès pour la Ville: Fairview, Province: Alberta