Hayes, OD, Francis Thomas

Francis Thomas Hayes, OD, born 8/13/27, died 11/15/12. Frank grew up in Cumberland, WI, the youngest of 7 children. He was the senior class president, class of 1945. He was drafted into the Army, and served his country dutifully for one year, one month, and 15 days at Camp McCoy. He graduated from River Falls Teachers College and went on to Illinois College of Optometry. While working summers for his brother-in-law at Curtis Ambulance in Milwaukee, he met his future wife, Beverly. After Optometry school, the young couple set out to find a small town to set up practice, and as Frank would recall, had a picnic lunch in South Park overlooking Mirror Lake and fell in love with Waupaca. For the next 35 years he practiced optometry in Waupaca. He was active in Lion’s club, the Rotary, Toastmasters, Knights of Columbus, and the Barbershop Harmony Society (formerly SBEBSQUA). He was a lifetime member of the NRA, and longtime member of St. Mary Magdalene, where he sang for years in the church choir, was a lector, Eucharistic minister, and usher. He and Beverly were world travelers, visiting Asia, Europe, Africa, Central America, and crisscrossing America several times. Frank enjoyed all things outdoors. He especially enjoyed his annual canoe trips to the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota. He was an avid hunter, and often took trips “out West” in pursuit of big game. From an early age, Frank and his three brothers sang four-part harmony at gatherings whenever they could. He sang in barbershop choruses and quartets in Stevens Point and in Gulf Shores, Alabama, where he and Beverly spent their winters after retirement. He was preceded in death by beloved wife Beverly Ann Piette Hayes, Brother William F Hayes, Sheila Hayes Baker, Delores Hayes Becker, Rosamund Hayes Ploetz. He is survived by his 8 children: Mary Hayes Devine (Tom), Christina Hayes Smith (Jerry), Susan Hayes Algiers (Tim), Jane Hayes Heinks (Mike), Catherine Hayes Ames (David), Thomas Francis Hayes (Mary), James Francis Hayes (Gretchen), Jeffrey Francis Hayes (Heather), 18 grandchildren: Tom Devine IV (Teresa), Katie Devine (John Bergner), Michael and Megan Devine, Joe and Liz Smith, TJ Algiers (Rita), Olivia and Nick Algiers, Helen, Mary, and Henry Heinks, Madeline and Isabella Ames, Nikki Stephens, Kaite Stephens-Hayes, Mac and Jake Hayes, and one great grandchild, Dante, and dear friend and companion, Joann Jorgenson. The Funeral Mass for Frank will be on Monday, November 19, 2012 at 10 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church with Father Amalraj Roche, presiding. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday evening from 4 to 7 PM at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca with a Prayer Service at 7 PM. Visitation will continue on Monday morning from 9 AM until the time of mass at church. Gregarious to a fault, Frank loved being an optometrist and took a genuine interest in the lives of his patients. Frank highly valued education and was proud of the fact that all eight of his children were college graduates. His love for all people was evident. His deep, baritone chuckle when surrounded by grandchildren will echo in our ears forever. The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful care and friendship Frank received through Park Vista, and Theda Care At-Home Hospice.