Arthur J. Hayes

Click on the tribute wall above to view Arthur’s video tribute. Arthur J. Hayes, age 98, passed peacefully at his home. surrounded by his loving family, on the 20th of May, 2022. Arthur was born on May 3, 1924 to Lucy (Welton) and John Victor Hayes. He lived in River Rouge, and attended Our Lady of Lourdes High School. He served in WWII, in the US Army, as a cryptographer in the China-Burma-India Theater. Art married River Rouge native, Virginia Shepard, on June 5th, 1948, and shared over 70 years of wedded bliss with her. He took great pride and joy in being a father, and together they raised 6 children. They moved to Allen Park in 1950, and spent the rest of their lives there. He and Virginia loved dancing, and every weekend would find them out on the dance floor of their favorite restaurant. They also enjoyed traveling the United States, and Canada with their children. Arthur started working, as a manager trainee, at Downriver Federal Saving and Loan Association (later known as Heritage Federal Savings) in 1947, and became president of the bank in 1975. He retired in 1989. He lived a life of service to his family, church, and community. He was an active member of the Kiwanis Club for 62 years. He and Virginia were founding members of the St. Cyril of Jerusalem Parish (now Our Lady of the Angels), where he served as an usher until he was 94 years old. He volunteered at the VA hospital for 28 years, taking injured servicemen to mass. He also participated in numerous civic organizations, and served on various corporate boards, throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, his daughter, Virginia, daughter-in-law Linda, sister Kathryn, and brothers, Edward, Kenneth and Patrick. He is survived by his children: Scott, Sean, Maureen (Steve), Paul (Stefanie), and Ginny, 9 grandchildren; Daniel, Christina, Alex, Kerry, Brianna, Matthew, Miranda, Aurena, and Callie, 2 great-granddaughters, Jewel and Jaelynn, sisters-in-law, Marion, Helen, and Rose, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.