Alfred Emmanuel Hayes

Obituary Alfred E. Hayes Al Hayes passed away surrounded by family on February 25, 2010 after a courageous six-year battle against cancer. He was born in Seattle the youngest child of Robert and Nell Hayes on August 22, 1933. He grew up in a number of cities: Bremerton, Port Angeles, Fife, Everett, such was the family life of a log scaler. He attended St. Martin's boarding school for a couple of years before graduating from Port Angeles HS in 1951. From there he went on to attend Seattle University. Shortly after college he met and married Claire Retallick his wife of 51 years. Together they raised three children: Kevin (Gretchen), Cathy (Dan) and Joe; five grandchildren: Brandon, Audrey, Morgan, Lucas, Joel and Joshua (deceased); and eight great-grandchildren: Cuyler, Noah, Israel, Isaiah, Andre, Jaylyn, Joshua and Eva. Dad gave to many charities - Knights of Columbus, Catholic Relief Fund, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to name but a few. He loved his Dixieland Jazz. Dad, mom and their friends frequented many festivals throughout the NW. He reserved his greatest love for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He cherished ND's unblemished gridiron record against UW with special glee. Dad was the family rock, holding down numerous positions throughout his working life. Out of college he joined Puget Sound National Bank as a teller which lasted a few years. But he was a natural risk-taker so he pooled some money with his brother Roy and purchased the iconic Spar Tavern in 1960. He sold his interest in 1970 and went to work for the state, spending the next 25 years working in procurement for agencies such as Fisheries, Transportation and Corrections. Dad was liked by everyone he met. He had friends all over Tacoma: Jim and Jan DeGeeter, Denny Boyle, Marlene, Chris and Joe Jurun, Jim and Elfrieda Rigney, Barbara and John Gibson, Gene and Yvonne Castleberry, Tom Sisul, Marion Phillips, Jeff and Helen Burr. We also remember three very close friends who preceded dad's death, Frank Shappee, Jack White and Don Doherty. Dad was preceded in death by his mother and father, sister Catherine and brothers Robert and Roy. The family requests that donations be made to St. Leo's Emergency Services or the cancer fund of your choice. Mass of Christian burial and a celebration of Al's life will be held on Thursday, March 4th, 11am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church 1001 N. J St in Tacoma.