John L. "Jack" Hayes

A passionate gardener, collector and devoted family man, Jack Hayes of Benicia passed away April 10, surrounded by loved ones, including his wife of 50 years. Jack was born May 29, 1935, in Seattle to Nicholas and Helen Hayes. He spent his early years in Benicia, attending elementary school at St. Catherine’s Academy and graduating from St. Vincent’s High School in Vallejo in 1953. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 1962. He married Susan McNiff of Pasadena in 1964. They had two daughters, Katherine and Kristen, and lived in Burlingame from 1964 to 1984. Following a brief period with the California National Guard, Jack had a long and successful career in public school administration. He served as a field representative for the California School Employees Association in Burlingame; director of personnel for Jefferson School District in Daly City; assistant superintendent of personnel for the Stockton Unified School District in Stockton; and director of classified personnel for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District in Watsonville. He is a past president of the California School Administrators Association (ACSA Region 10) and honorary life member of the School Personnel Commissioners Association/Northern California and California School Personnel Commissioners Association. He also served as president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Resurrection Church in Aptos and vice president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society Santa Cruz Council in Capitola. After retirement in 1995, Jack was a human resources consultant, part-time antiques dealer and avid collector. He and Sue enjoyed travel adventures in England, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Lichtenstein, Austria and Switzerland. Jack and Sue moved back to his hometown of Benicia in recent years, and Jack enjoyed walking First Street, visiting family and friends and volunteering at the Fisher-Hanlon House garden. In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by brothers Mike and Jerry of Benicia and the Rev. Thomas J. Hayes O.P. of San Francisco; daughters Katie (Tom) Hickey of Durham, N.C., and Kristen (Andrew) Victoriano of Dublin, grandchildren Drew, Katie, Matt and Ryan Victoriano, and Dillan, Carson and Bode Hickey; as well as a large extended family Vigil services will be held 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Passalacqua Funeral Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:30 Friday at St. Dominic's Church, 475 East I Street, Benicia. Burial will follow in St. Dominic's Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, c/o St. Dominic’s Church in Benicia.

John L. "Jack" Hayes

May 29, 1935 - April 10, 2015