Michael Hayes

Michael Francis “Mike” Hayes

Passed away peacefully at home in New Berlin, Wisconsin, on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at the age of 75. Married for 47 years to wife Virginia, with whom he shared three children: Caleb, Lexi, and Max (Elizabeth). He is further survived by his beloved grandchildren, Joshua and Sheena, his dogs, Rainy, Effy, and Huck, and his three siblings Katie, Pat, and Theresa (Dick).

Born in Indio, California, on June 22, 1949, to John and Hildegarde (Huppert) Hayes. The family soon returned to their native Wisconsin, where they settled in the Milwaukee area.

Mike loved art and received his bachelor’s degree in painting & drawing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His preferred medium was oil painting, though he was also skilled in watercolors, colored pencil, graphite, and sculpture.

While at UW-Milwaukee he met his future wife, Virginia Geiger, and they married on August 27, 1977.

Mike was a passionate and eclectic fan of music, ranging from John Prine to Linkin Park, Tom Waits, Neil Young, Bob Marley, Amy Winehouse, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, and many more. He loved movies, especially ‘The Big Lebowski’ and ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’

He was politically active and volunteered with the Wisconsin Democratic Party. He was a strong advocate for equality and workers’ rights.

Mike was a very social person and loved to spend time with family and the many friends he made throughout his life. He enjoyed golfing with friends and was a mulligan enthusiast. Food was his love language, and he was always eager to share a meal with those he cared for.

“So long, and thanks for all the fish.”