Lebanon, New Hampshire

Gerald John Hayes passed away on January 10,2023 at Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital. He was born on August 10, 1938, in Rutland, Vermont. He graduated from Woodstock Union High School in 1956. Where he went by Jake and made many lifelong friends. After high school, he went into the Navy and was on the USS Ranger where he learned his love of cooking and became a lifelong chef.

Gerald was married to Elizabeth Raney on May 18th, 1974, in West Lebanon, NH. They met at the Sunset Motel where they both worked. They worked together for 27 years at the Owl's Nest, Hotel Coolidge, and Bloods Seafood & Catering. He continued working at the Lebanon Grafton County Senior Center until he was 82. It would bring a smile to his face when people called him "Chef Jerry".

Gerald enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and attending local high school events. He was a member of the Lebanon Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, and The American Legion Guyer-Carignan Post 22. He also enjoyed driving his Corvettes, and making handmade crafts.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Elizabeth; his two sons from a previous marriage, Mark Hayes (Helen) of Loudon, NH, and Michael Hayes (Dotty) of Concord, NH. two stepdaughters; Sandra Eaton (Dan) of White River Jct., Vt, and Kathleen Woodward (Robbie) of Lebanon, NH. Grandson; Michael Hayes Jr (Kate), and granddaughter, Devon Hayes, Grandson; Robert Woodward (Stephanie) of Enfield, NH, granddaughter; Danyelle Laundry (Christopher) of Lebanon, NH, grandson; Jacob Woodward (Natasha) of George Mills, NH and two great-grandsons; Aaron and Mason Hayes. His beloved niece Laurel Soule Phillips and her family in Flagstaff, AZ. He is predeceased by his parents John and Gertrude Hayes, his sister Mary L. Soule of Flagstaff, AZ.

Gerald's family would like to thank the nursing staff in ICU 3 North at Dartmouth for their incredible care and compassion. The Lebanon Police and Fire department for all their continued support and kindness to our family and this community. The Lebanon Grafton County Senior Center and Bloods Seafood and Catering for their generosity.

A memorial service will be held at the Lebanon Grafton Country Senior Center on Sunday, January 15th, 2023, at 3 pm. The burial service will be held later this spring in Woodstock, Vt. The Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock is assisting the family, an on-line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com