Donald Francis Hayes, 91, of New Rochelle, NY, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2025 at the age of 91. A life-long New Yorker, Don was born on July 16, 1933 to John and Mary Hayes and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He attended Brooklyn Prep and was a graduate of Fordham University, where he participated in Army ROTC. Don was commissioned into the United States Army in 1954, eventually attaining the rank of Captain. After discharge, he continued his education at Columbia University, and joined the faculty of Marymount Manhattan College, where he served as a professor of history for 40 years.
Memorial Day weekend, 1963, he met the love of his life, Patricia Sweeney, at a party in Westhampton, NY. They married November 21,1964 and began their life together in Manhattan, living in Stuyvesant Town. In 1973 they moved to their beloved New Rochelle.
Upon retirement in 1999, he remained active in the community through involvement with Holy Family Church, the New Rochelle Democratic Committee and Learning in Retirement at Iona College (LIRIC). He was honored for his work with Meals on Wheels of New Rochelle in 2016.
Don enjoyed traveling throughout the US and abroad with his wife and summers at their beach getaway in Hampton Bays, but he found his true vocation in 1998 when he became a grandfather. He adored being a grandpa and delighted in his grandchildren every day.
Don will be remembered for his sharp mind, his calm demeanor and his generous spirit.
He is preceded in death by his parents Mary and John Hayes and his brothers John Jr. and Richard. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia, their children Paul (Belinda) of New Rochelle, Claire Persanis (Matthew) of Pelham, Bob (Susan) of Montclair, NJ and their grandchildren Luke and Caleb Persanis of Pelham, Lizzie, Amanda and Owen Hayes of Montclair and Amelie and Cordelia Hayes of New Rochelle and his bonus daughter-in-law Christine Persanis. Don also leaves behind nieces, nephews, cousins and a large community of friends who will miss him dearly.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 19th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at George T. Davis Funeral Home, 16 Shea Place, New Rochelle, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, February 20th at 10:30 am at The Church of the Holy Family, 83 Clove Road, New Rochelle, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Meals on Wheels of New Rochelle.
Editor’s note: This obituary was provided by the George T. Davis Funeral Home.
