MT. UPTON – John (Jack) Hern Hayes, born December 6, 1927 in Montour Falls, NY, died at home on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 in Mt. Upton, NY.
John, or Jack as he was called as a youth, attended Odessa Central School from 1933 to 1946. He attended an extra year of high school because, as he told his children, “My car would not stop at the school my tenth grade year.”
After graduation in 1946, John was employed at Corning Glass in Ithaca.
In the 57th MP Military Police Company in Korea from 1950 to 1953, John received: the Korean Service Medal with 5 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.
After returning from Korea, John started his career as an Artificial Inseminator for Finger Lakes Proved Sire Services in Dryden. A ruptured appendix changed his service area to Mount Upton, NY, where he worked with local dairy farmers until 1983. His truck was “BC” (bull cheater), and a big red bull topped the truck cab.
John was the RLC Rural Letter Carrier for Mount Upton New York Postal Service from 1963 to 1992.
John, a chicken show “string man” from a very young age, raised show chickens his entire life. At many times his barn had over 1,500 chickens and he was Master Exhibitor #41 in the American Poultry Association. He raised over 30 different varieties. Blue Andalusians were always his favorite. He hatched his own eggs to achieve many Grand Champions at The Great New York State Fair. He also competed and won in county fairs all over New York and even Ohio.
John was a regular at the Chamber’s Auction House in Unadilla where he would sell sometimes up to “20 head.” On the way home, he would stop at the “Rockiedale” for a cold beer to clear his throat. John also shipped his prize winning eggs all over the US. His string of prize winning chickens lives on to this day.
John met his Georgia Peach bride in 1962 at the Rock Inn Restaurant where he was a bartender as a second job. He always kidded she talked “hound dog” and he was married to his southern bride for 3 years before he realized all she wanted was a ride home.
Keeping his incredible wit right until the very end, John will be very missed by those he is survived by: his wife of 52 years, Jewell Barefield Hayes; Son, Jack Hayes and his wife, Suzette Hayes, and their family: Jenna Hayes Buttice, Brooks Buttice, Hadley Buttice; Brett Hayes; Eric, Amanda and Lissette Loitsch, Andrea Loitsch, Michael Loitsch; Son, Jim Hayes and his family: Stacy Lum, Ashleigh Hayes Bishop, Coty Bishop and Kadyn Bishop, Ryan Hayes, Megan Hayes; daughter, Jonie Hayes Bassett and Keith Bassett; Twin sister, Jean Hayes Morris and sister, Dorothy Hayes; and his 6 Blue Andalusian chickens.
Per John’s wishes, there will be no services or calling hours. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.