Keith Howard Hayes, 62
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Keith Howard Hayes, age 62, of Mansfield, peacefully passed away on Friday, January 28, 2022. Keith was predeceased by his parents, Raymond Hayes of Falmouth, and Margarita Prestwich of Mansfield and sister Katherine Mary Carr of Wilmington, NC. He is survived by Virginia Hayes of Mashpee,Thomas Prestwich of Mansfield, his wife Marsha Hayes of Mansfield, daughter Harmony and husband Jon Carroll of Mashpee and grandchildren Drew and Liam Carroll, son Derek Hayes of Quincy, and daughter Amber Lee Hayes of Mansfield. Also survived by stepsons Matthew Colon and wife Katelyn of Canton, Marc Colon and Amy Montello of Attleboro, as well as brothers and sisters Theresa Eldridge and husband Robert of St. Augustine, FL, Kevin Hayes and wife Anne of Mansfield, Ann Marie Lorenz and husband David of Wake Forest, NC, Colleen Turcotte and husband David of Falmouth, John Dillon and Kerri Smith of Falmouth, Dr. Patrick Dillon and wife Lori of Falmouth, Courtney Zahner and husband Paul of North Attleboro, brother in law Terry Carr of Wilmington, NC, and most cherished childhood and lifelong friends Richard Fournier and Paul Fournier.
Keith is remembered for his love for his family, animals, music, Boston sports, especially the Bruins, and all things traditional, with a penchant for the holidays. Keith was always there for school activities, sports and could always be heard from the sidelines with constant cheers. He loved the annual Cape Cod vacation and looked forward to it every year. The family badminton games were legendary.
Keith loved spending time with his grandsons. He taught them the lost art of letter writing with stories sent from Mansfield to Mashpee and back and advised them that a good hockey fight has its place. He was a lifelong resident of Mansfield and was always proud of his Mansfield roots. He knew every street and the history of all the buildings in town. As a lot of New Englanders are, Keith was a lover of weather be it a Nor’easter or thunder and lightning. No matter the weather he would be seen in shorts and socks whether it was to shovel snow or watch a baseball game.
Keith was an animal lover of the most unique kind. The Hayes household has had everything from hamsters to tortoises and everything in between but especially his beloved cat, Tiggiee.
Keith was an exceptional musician and songwriter culminating with his band Thief, which was just an eyelash away from national notice. Thief, with Keith at the helm, recorded several albums with his beloved bandmates and were on the same bills with national headlining musical bands.
Keith and Marsha were the owners of Kids Korner Daycare in Mansfield for many years and he was well known in town for his daily walk to the bank in shorts without regard for the weather or season.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, February 4th from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield.
A service in celebration of his life will be held at the conclusion of visiting hours on Friday at 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers and in accordance with his love for animals, Keith’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to the Mansfield Animal Shelter, P.O. Box Mansfield, MA 02048.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com