Obituary of Gordon M. Hayes, Sr.

Gordon M. Hayes, Sr., 92, of Clinton, died Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Gordon was born on March 10, 1920, in Syracuse, NY, the son of Robert and Elise Millard Hayes. He graduated in 1937 from Clinton Central School and from Hamilton College with the class of 1941. Gordon then entered Business Training Course at General Electric Co in Schenectady. He entered the US Navy in December 1941 and served on the USS Sperry and USS Mendocino in the Pacific Theatre attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. At the war's end, he joined Hayes National Bank as a bookkeeper. Gordon married Elizabeth Smith on January 10, 1948 in Utica. In 1951, he was recalled by the US Naval Reserve to serve in the Korean War. Gordon was named President of Hayes National Bank in Clinton, in 1960, serving so until his retirement in 1985. He was a graduate of numerous banking schools including American Institute of Banking at Rutgers and NY State Bankers School of Agriculture at Cornell University. He served on a number of local organizations including Clinton Central School Board, Clinton Cemetery Association, Alumni Trustee of Hamilton College, Credit Bureau of Utica, and the Lutheran Home. He was an active fundraiser for Kirkland Art Center, Jack Boynton Pool, the Clinton Cemetery Association and the Kirkland Town Library. He also held a long time interest in tennis, grouse hunting, and hockey and after retirement, wildflower photography. Besides his wife, Elizabeth, he is survived by his six children and their spouses, Gordon M. Hayes Jr. of Clinton, NY, Cynthia L. Hayes and James Staas of Amherst, NY, Christine "Tina" H. and Langhorn Withers of Springfield, VA, Sarah H. and Carl Schindler of Rochester, NY, Nathan M. Hayes of Olympia, WA, and Martha H. and Michael Smiles of Noank, CT; thirteen grandchildren, Claire and Cory Hayes, Peter, Gregory and David Staas, Carolyn Withers Cokes, Rebecca and Hannah Withers, Katherine, Elizabeth and Rosemary Schindler, Daniel Hayes and Gretchen LaSalle; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Robert U. Hayes, Jr. and his sister, Anne H. Huppuch. He will be remembered for his wit, generosity, humility, patience, and his devotion to the caregiving of his beloved wife. All are invited to call Friday from 4-6pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc, 35 College St., Clinton. A Memorial Service will be held at 10am Saturday, July 28, 2012 at St. James' Episcopal Church, William St., Clinton, with burial to follow at Sunset Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida County, Kirkland Fellowship Fund, 1222 State Street, Utica, NY 13502.