James Anthony “Jay” Hayes, IV, 22, of Londonderry passed away Saturday April 20, 2024, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, NY. Jay was born December 20, 2001, in Manchester, NH and was the son of James A. III and Johanna (Nackley) Hayes. Jay was a lifelong resident of Londonderry and a 2020 Graduate of Londonderry High School. Jay was an avid New England Patriots and Boston Celtics enthusiast. He was Captain of the 2020 Londonderry High Tennis Team and a member of the 2019 NH Division 1 State Champion Football Team.
The following are excerpts from a letter sent to the family and the RPI Community, by Martin A. Schmidt “81, Ph.D., President.
Jay, as he was known to his fraternity brothers, friends and classmates, was a senior in the Biomedical Engineering Program, and he was a student in the Life Sciences Entrepreneurship MBA program. He was named to the Dean’s List throughout his freshman year, he was also selected as an I-PERSIST Chemistry Mentor for new freshman. Jay was a recipient of the RPI Leadership Scholarship, and spent a semester as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab of Richard Gross, Ph.D.
As part of his senior Capstone project, Jay collaborated with Jason Heckman, MD, a surgeon specializing in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, to develop an improved suture needle insertion and removal device for robotic-assisted surgeries.
Outside of academic and professional endeavors, Jay was very involved in campus life and his community. Jay loved his fraternity brothers Pi Lambda Phi, where he was VP of Communications. He also wanted to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs. Earlier this year he began working as a client liaison manager for the Center for Disability Services in hometown in New Hampshire, where he also served as a volunteer basketball coach for Special Olympics.
In addition to Jay’s father James A. Hayes, III and mother, Johanna F. Hayes, he is survived by his loving sister, Caroline E. Hayes, three aunts, Sharon Hayes and her partner, Jill Barres, Mary Emily and Richard Rockwood and Diana Nackley, and his uncle David Nackley, as well as many cousins, great-aunts, great-uncles and friends. He will be forever missed by his beloved dog “Teddy”.
Calling hours will be held Sunday April 28, 2024, from 4 to 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday April 29th at 10:30am at St. Mark the Evangelist Church, 2 South Road, Londonderry. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Special Olympics New Hampshire, 650 Elm Street #200, Manchester, NH 03101.