James Joseph "Jockey" Hayes, 47, of New Bedford died unexpectedly on Thursday November 17, 2016. Born in Ennistymon, County Clare, Ireland, Jockey moved to Yonkers, NY at the age of 15 and moved to New Bedford in the early 1990s. He worked at the Tara Restaurant in Yonkers and the County Fair Yonkers Raceway and was a golf caddy at the Lahinch Golf Course in County Clare. He was a lobsterman when he first met his wife Derica and later worked as a delivery man for Pepsi Cola.
He was the son of the late Michael and Mary Ann Hayes of County Clare, Ireland and brother of the late Michael Hayes. He was the husband of the late Derica Gobeil.
He is survived by his two children, a son, Cole Hayes and daughter Shae Hayes, both of Westport; his brother, Oliver "Ollie" Hayes and two sisters, Eilish and Vanessa Hayes, all of County Clare; his aunt, Maura Hayes O'Brien of County Clare; his uncle Guss Hayes and his wife Theresa of Yonkers, NY; two nephews, Michael and Ryan; and a niece Tori.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday November 25, 2016 from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to his family. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.