Obituary of Bernie Hayes

Bernard “Bernie” John Hayes Gardiner Mines It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Bernard John Hayes, affectionately known as Da, Poppy and Uncle Bernie. Bernie was 85 and actively enjoying his long run at life when he passed suddenly at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on May 17. Bernie was an employee of Nova Scotia Power, “The Corporation”, for 27 years retiring at 54 years young. His true accomplishments were his children and grandchildren, whom he adored. Bernie was the son of Bernard and Simone (Bettens) Hayes of Glace Bay. Bernie was married to Agnes (Crosby) Hayes for 49 years, whom he missed each day since her passing in 2017. Bernie is survived by their daughter, Aliesje (Jay) MacInnis and their children Keagan (Holly Schaller) and Conner (Evan Osmond). Bernie was also predeceased by his first wife Druscilla (MacPherson) Hayes who passed away in 1965. Bernie is survived by their daughter Nancy, son Robbie and his children Kristen (Cameron) Yakeley and Matthew (Sara Bass). Bernie is also survived by his sister, Irene Anderson and her children Bernice and Lynn Deveaux; brother, Gordon (Sharon) Hayes and their children, Shanna, Bruce and Lisa; uncle Jack (Catherine) Bettens; aunt Agnes MacPherson and Andrea Bettens; sister-in-law Betty Currie; sister-in-law Frankie (John) Darragh; brother-in-law Ronald (Norma Steele) Crosby; special nieces, Francine (Sean) Burke and Meggie (Glenn MacIntosh) Currie; grandnephew and grandniece, Liam and Cate Burke; special cousin Julie Frison; numerous other cousins; and many treasured friends particularly Dougie AucCoin, Stevie Polegato, neighbors Kevin and Marlene Ratchford, and Jack and Pam MacDonnell. In addition to his parents, Agnes, and Druscillia, Bernie was predeceased by mother and father-in-law, Robert and Frances Crosby; uncle Frank Bettens; aunts Bertha Frison, Paula MacNeil, and Suzanne MacQuarrie; sister-in-law Mary Crosby; brothers-in-law Robert Anderson, Bob Crosby, and Leonard Currie; and niece Valerie Hayes. Bernie had a passion for antique cars and was a member of the Cape Breton Antique Custom Car Club. He also loved to skate on his racers and had a passion for reading books and collecting things (matchbooks, car parts, license plates, t-shirts, mugs) , and buying and selling things at flea markets. He volunteered for many organizations including the Glace Bay Food Bank, Vince Ryan Memorial Hockey Tournament, Glace Bay Heritage Museum in the Old Town Hall where he grew up, and the Savoy Theatre. Bernie had a mischievous side and was known for his playful antics. Over the years he started to slow down some, but not much. He enjoyed his grand fur babies and giving them a good rub and many treats, visits with special sister in-law Betty Currie, tea with the boys at Tim Horton’s in Reserve , reading, and going through old black and whites of his family from Belgium. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Bernie's legacy will live on through the memories he created and the many stories he told. He had a good run and his family is evidence of the great job he did. So much so, he stuck around to see his work. Family flowers only, donations can be made in Bernie’s memory to the St. Joseph Holy Family Cemetery Fund, the Glace Bay Food Bank, or the Glace Bay Heritage Museum. Cremation has taken place. Visitation for Bernie will be held Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 12 to 2 p.m., with a celebration of life to follow at 2:00 p.m. and a reception to take place in the lower level, all taking place in T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 370 Reserve St., Glace Bay, NS (902-849-4199).