Bradley James Hayes

Wakefield, NH

Bradley James Hayes, 84, passed peacefully from this life on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Brad was born on February 16, 1936, in Arlington, MA, the son of Dennis James Hayes and Eileen (Bradley) Hayes. Brad attended Arlington High School and Bentley College. He later earned his M.B.A. from Northeastern University.

In 1958 Brad met the love of his life, Ellen Katherine Hurley, on a blind date at a Bruin’s game at the Boston Garden. On a July morning in 1960, Brad and Ellen were married by her brother Dan, at Our Lady of the Presentation Church in Brighton, MA.

Brad began working for Sylvania at the age of 18 while attending Bentley College. He stayed with the company as a Finance Officer in the Lighting Division until 1972 when he and Ellen moved their young family to East Wakefield, NH, and established Hayes Real Estate. In 1967, before their move to New Hampshire, Brad and Ellen found their beloved cottage on Balch Lake in West Newfield, ME, where their children and grandchildren grew up. Brad was Principal Broker at Hayes Real Estate from 1972 to 2017. His legacy continues as the family-run business approaches its 50th anniversary in his treasured village of Wakefield Corner.

In 2017 Brad received Realtor Emeritus status from the National Association of Realtors to recognize 45 years of uninterrupted Realtor Service. Earlier in his career, he received Realtor of the Year from the White Mountain Board of Realtors when he served as Board President. He believed that Real Estate was about people - not buildings, land, or views. Family generations remember his expertise, professionalism, and in-depth knowledge of every lake, field, dirt road, and ordinance in the greater Wakefield area. He had an incredible work ethic, and he loved summer weekends when his office was filled with customers, and his afternoons were filled with horseshoes and family and friends on his beach.

Brad was resolutely committed to the town of Wakefield. He was a founding member of the Greater Wakefield Chamber of Commerce, and he served on the Wakefield School Board and Wakefield Budget Committee. He was School District Moderator for many years, and he served as Town Moderator for 32 years, where he flawlessly interpreted and gaveled Robert’s Rules of Order in respect for the “will of the voter.” For over three decades, the people of Wakefield were cheerfully greeted by Brad as he proudly stood his post by the ballot box at all voting occasions. In 1998, the Town of Wakefield recognized Brad as Citizen of the Year. Brad served on the Board of Trustees at Brewster Academy for 15 years; and he was also a member of the Huggins Hospital Board of Trustees.

Brad was known for his kindness, strength, and generous spirit. He was guided by a deep sense of ethics and purpose, blended with humor, vision, and the “Irish Wisdom” of good sense, good calculation, quick-wittedness, discretion, and resourcefulness. If asked by his many dear friends, for the word that would best define Brad Hayes, it would be, for sure, family.

Brad was predeceased by Ellen following their 57 years of marriage. He leaves his children Curtis Hayes of North Conway, NH, Beth Hayes of East Wakefield, NH, and her former husband, Dino Scala of Wakefield, NH, Sarah Hayes of Wakefield, NH, and Susan Hayes and her husband Thomas Dube of Wakefield, NH. Brad’s four grandchildren, Ellen Hayes, Joe Scala, John Scala, and Tommy Scala, filled his home with laughter, love, and adventures. Brad also leaves his brother in law Daniel J. Hurley and wife Mary, and sister in law Mary (Hurley) Donlan and husband, Paul. He was loved by his nieces, nephews, and cousins. His yellow lab Hurley never left his side.

A family Mass was held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Wakefield, NH, on September 26, 2020. Memorial gifts may be made to the Hayes Family Scholarship at Brewster Academy, 80 Academy Drive, Wolfeboro, NH, 03894.  

If you wish to express a condolence or leave a fond memory please visit, www.lordfuneralhome.com.

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