Obituary of Clifford Hayes

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Clifford Roy Hayes of Norton, NB, announce his passing at The Briarlea Special Care Home in Moncton, on July 9th, 2024, just shy of his 80th birthday.

Clifford was born at home in Midland, NB on July 21st, 1944, and was the son of the late Roy and Marguerite (Whiteneck) Hayes. Clifford attended Belleisle Regional High School and graduated in 1965 where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Elaine (Kerr) Hayes on June 18, 1966.

Clifford was affectionately known as “Big Guy,” “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” and “Papa Bear.” As a young boy, he and his father and brothers worked on Sherwood’s farm. After graduation, he spent his entire career with NBTel and retired in 1998. After retirement, he worked part-time for Portage Atlantic in Cassidy Lake. Clifford was a member of Kings Kirk United Church in Belleisle, and the Orange Lodge in Sussex. He was also involved with the Basement Players as a comical actor for many years, which raised thousands of dollars for charity. Over the years, Clifford and Elaine enjoyed square dancing with the Kennebec Aces Square Dance Club in Sussex, and travelling with their close friends, the McKnights. He also enjoyed snowmobiling with their good friends the Marrs, hunting, and having a good game of cards, dominoes, and crokinole. Dad built the home that he lived in from about 1979 until he moved to The Brairlea in Moncton in 2023 to be closer to his girls. We were blessed to have his grandson Keaton & his wife Julia purchase the home and are now raising their family in it.

Clifford will be missed by his daughters: Kelly Hayes-McEachern and her husband Kevin of Moncton; Kim Leland and her husband Michael of Moncton; his son Kevin Hayes of Sussex; five grandchildren: Garnet & Colin LeMesurier, Jason Leland, and Rachel (Zachary) Rice, and Keaton (Julia) Cook; great-grandson Hayes Cook; his brothers Ken (Linda) of Moncton, Robert (Roxanne) of Sussex, his sisters Mildred McHugh and Linda Haines, both of Saint John, Louise (Gerald) Steeves of Wheaton Settlement, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Marguerite Hayes and his wife Elaine in 2020.

Clifford’s family would like to thank The Briarlea (off Gorge Rd.) for their excellent care, compassion and wonderful stories about how much they loved him. It was a blessing and comfort for us to have him come home and be surrounded by so many who loved him in his final days.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Sherwood’s Funeral Home and Life Tribute Center (506-839-2156) at 18 Scovil Road, Norton, NB, where visitation will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 4 to 7PM. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 10:00AM from Sherwood’s Funeral Home Chapel and a live stream will be available. The interment will be in the Midland Cemetery after the service.

For those who wish, remembrances can be made to Kings Kirk United Church in Belleisle, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through: www.sherwoodsfuneralhome.com