Page created by: Kathleen Hayes

My dad, Pat Hayes, was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2017, at age 75. By 2023, his physical deterioration was so severe that my mother could no longer care for him; he had fallen at home multiple times, including a final fall that landed him in the hospital with severe injuries, which he miraculously survived. So my mother, brother and I made the difficult decision to transfer him to a long-term care facility, where he peacefully passed away with all of us and his grandsons by his side on June 22, 2025.

Pat was born on July 27, 1942, in Springfield, to Joseph and Theresa Hayes. He attended Cathedral Grade School and Cathedral Boys High School, and graduated from Griffin High School’s first senior class in 1960. He married Margaret Kohlrus in 1966.

For several years, he worked for Pillsbury and Butternut before joining insurance companies, including Horace Mann and Prudential. From the early 1970s through the mid-1980s, he worked in many capacities for American Savings and Loan, eventually becoming a residential real estate appraiser there before starting his own appraisal business. In his mid-forties, Pat enrolled in classes at Sangamon State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1994 at the age of 52.

Pat is survived by his wife, Marge; daughter, Kathleen Therese Hayes of Chicago; son, Brian Patrick (Leigh) Hayes of Rochester; grandsons, Henry Patrick Hayes of Chicago and William Keaton Hayes of Rochester; brother, Michael (Patricia) Hayes of Springfield; nieces, Lori (Randy) Sveback and Tina Speagle; and nephew, Sean (Emily) Hayes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew (Joe) Hayes and Lillian (Theresa) Gorezke Hayes; brother, James (Janet) Hayes; and niece, Tami Hayes.

He came from a large family of many beloved uncles, aunts, and cousins. Pat loved manicuring his lawn, watching favorite TV shows and movies, and spending time with family and friends, including his favorite lunch buddy, Jim O’Brien.