Capt. James Thomas (Jim) Hayes, USN (Ret.) age 97, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away on February 8, 2022. A native of Charleston, WV and raised in Newark and Toledo, OH, he lived in Norfolk and Virginia Beach for 59 years. He was the son of the late Edwin J. Hayes and Irene M. Crowley Hayes. He was predeceased by his sister Rosemary Wilhelm, brother Robert Hayes, daughter Michelle Hayes, and his beloved wife of 64 years Irene Elizabeth Angel Hayes.
Jim served in the Navy for 33 years, graduating from the Naval Academy with the Class of 1948, and retired as a Captain in 1975. He served with the City of Norfolk until 1989. He was a parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church before joining Church of the Holy Family. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 367 for 67 years, and 4th Degree Assembly 1162. He was a member and past president of Civitan Club of Norfolk for over 40 years. He was a past president of the Ryan Club. He served on several Boards of Directors Including Eggleston Center, Civitan Acres for the Disabled, St. Mary’s Infant Home, and was a strong supporter of Christ the King Catholic School and Norfolk Catholic High School. He was instrumental in helping build the Challenger baseball field at Civitan Acres, where the field bears his name. He was a member of the Association of Naval Aviators, the Civil Air Patrol, and an instructor with the Navy Flying Club. He and his beloved wife Irene volunteered for many years at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. In 2002 Jim joined the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
His Navy years included duty on light cruisers, aircraft squadrons, and aircraft carriers. His favorite flight duty was flying the AD Sky Raider in which he logged over 1,000 hours of flight time. After completing post-graduate school he served as Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer in several commands and staffs including many years in catapults and arresting gear, and aviation maintenance positions. His commands included Executive Officer at NARF and Head of Maintenance and Materials of the Naval Safety Center.
Jim held two Bachelor’s Degrees in Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering, plus two Master’s Degrees in Administration and Nuclear Engineering.
He loved spending time with his large family, especially the annual vacation to Nags Head.
He leaves ten children: Mary Louise Persinger, wife of David (deceased) of Crystal River, FL; Edwin and wife Mary, and Barbara Werber and husband Randy, all of Chesapeake, VA; Joseph and wife Peggy, Patricia Richardson, wife of Leonard (deceased), Thomas and wife Shelley, Gregory and wife Georgia, all of Virginia Beach, VA; Rosemary Sheriff and husband Jeff of Key Largo, FL; James and wife Vanessa of Durham, NC; and John of Hollywood, FL. In addition, he leaves 19 grandchildren: David Persinger and wife Joanne, Danny Persinger, Sue D’Ostroph and husband Tom, Dustin Persinger, Michael and Aaron Hayes, Amanda and Mary Werber, Matthew Hayes, Daniel Richardson and wife Melinda, Carrie Harris and husband Joe, Zachary Hayes, Ashley Gibson and husband Jason, Kristin Sheriff and husband Jeff Hays, Sarah, Patrick, and Hannah Hayes; Owen Williams; and Heather Hayes; and 9 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive guests at H. D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Laskin Road Chapel, for a wake and Chalice Service, February 23 from 6 to 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Church of the Holy Family on February 24 at 1 pm by Fr. Rene Castillo and Msgr. Frederic Elkin. Burial will immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded. Following the service, all are invited to a Celebration of Life at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 5201 Kennebeck Ave, Norfolk.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eggleston Services at Civitan Acres, 5145 E. Virginia Beach Blvd, Norfolk VA 23502 or Christ the King Catholic School Building Fund, 3401 Tidewater Dr, Norfolk VA 23509. Online condolences may be made to the family at hdoliver.com. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the Church of the Holy Family Facebook page.
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