Joseph J. Hayes

Joseph (Joe) J. Hayes, 92, of Manchester, NJ, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2021. A visitation with the family will be held on September 20th, at The Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 3010 Ridgeway Rd., Manchester, NJ, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A mass will be held at 12:00 noon, immediately following the visitation at St. Mary's of the Lake Church in Lakewood, NJ. The mass will commemorate both Joseph and his wife, Jeanne, who passed away September 20, 2020. Joe will be interred at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ at 2:30 pm.

Joe was born in Patton, PA, the son of Valentine and Elizabeth Psioda. Orphaned as an infant, he grew up at St. John’s Orphanage in Johnstown, Pa. He met Jeanne McLaughlin just prior to leaving the home at age 18, and carried her in his heart until they married 15 years later. Joe graduated from Cresson High School, worked in a steel mill, and then enlisted in the United States Air Force. His 21 years’ service encompassed active duty in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He married his Jeanne in 1962, and they spent the next ten years traveling with their children all around the country, to Japan, and back again. MSGT Joseph J. Hayes retired in 1971 and went on to work in the US Postal service for the next 20 years before retiring in 1993.

A man of quiet loyalty and dedication, he was greatly loved not only by his own family, but by the families he built along the way. Joe attended every reunion with his friends from the orphanage and he was the beloved “Uncle Joey” of the O’Donnell and Bischoff families, who adored his playful ways and his generous heart. And the day he was reunited with his sister Vicki began some of the happiest years of his life. He thought of her every day and was forever grateful that they found each other.

Joe’s life of service and generosity of spirit extended well beyond retirement. He was a hospital volunteer for another 20 years. Joe lived his life honestly, and he received accolades for his integrity, but he was a humble man who expected no reward for doing the right thing. He was known for his silly jokes, his willingness to help, and his dedication to his family. His children and grandchildren brought him laughter and joy. His wife Jeanne was the love of his life from the day he met her until the day he left this earth to see her again.

Joe is survived by his children, Jeff (Cathy) of Arlington, VA; Jan (Dan) of Great Neck, NY; and Joanne of Brick, NJ; his beloved nieces and nephews; and his grandchildren, Mark, Alex, Amanda, Sam, Nicole, Jack, and Rachel.

At the request of the family, those visitors attending who are not Covid-19 vaccinated please wear a facial covering. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Vicki Tarantino’s name to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Condolences and tributes to the family can be left at www.andersonandcampbellmanchester.com