Raymond Fredrick “Gabby” Hayes, 77, joined his loved ones in Heaven on September 15, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born on September 29, 1948 in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, to Raymond Horace Hayes and Edna Mae Silvis Hayes.
Growing up as a young boy in Coal Hollow, Ray spent some of his childhood helping his father deliver house coal. He also cherished the time he spent working on his grandparents’ family farm. Those early years helped shape the man he would become. Ray was, by nature, a true tinkerer. If something was broken, he wanted to figure out how it worked, and if there was something that could be fixed, he would do just that. Tinkering wasn’t simply a hobby for Gabby-it was a way of life.
When he was old enough, Ray proudly enlisted in the United States Navy, where he spent a couple years serving his country as a mechanic and working in the ship’s kitchen. After returning home, he worked a variety of jobs while continuing to help his family whenever he could. He was also a member of the Fox Township Fire Department for a period of time as well as a member of the Dagus Mines Legion.
Ray eventually found his true calling with PennDot, where he dedicated many years of his life. There hardly seemed to be a piece of equipment he didn’t know how to operate. He especially enjoyed plowing snow, a job at which he took great pride. His dedication became something people throughout Kersey came to know and appreciate. After his retirement, many people remarked about how much they missed him. As the saying went, “Nobody could plow Coal Hollow Hill like Gabby.”
While Ray took great pride in his work and loved tinkering, his greatest joy was always his family.
On February 7, 1986, Ray married the love of his life, Donna May Hicks Hayes. Together, they made their home in his beloved homestead in Coal Hollow, where they raised their two daughters, Patricia and Danielle. With Donna devoted to their home and family, Ray spent his life working hard to make sure his family had everything they needed. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who found his greatest happiness in the people he loved.
Ray’s family was the center of his world. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Donna; his daughters, Patricia and Danielle; and his grandchildren, Lydia and Gabby Polaski, Wyatt and Isaac Hayes, Axel Hayes-Roberts, Daelynn, Addison, Emalee, and Kaylee Dinsmore and a great granddaughter Aurora Polaski.
He will be remembered for his hardworking nature, his incredible ability to fix just about anything, his love of tinkering, his dedication to his community, and, most of all, his unwavering love for his family. His presence will be deeply missed, but the memories he created and the love he gave will remain with his family and friends forever.
In addition to his parents, Raymond Horace Hayes and Edna Mae Silvis Hayes, Gabby was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Hayes, who passed away in infancy; his paternal grandparents, Fred and Mary Trumbull Hayes; and his maternal grandparents, Edward and Mary Burns Silvis.
Though Ray may no longer be here to climb into a truck, fire up a piece of equipment, fix something that wasn’t quite right, or make sure his family was taken care of, his legacy lives on in the family he loved so dearly and in the many lives he touched throughout his years.
There will be no public visitation. A private Funeral Service will be held with Rev. Dave and Rev. Emily Koehler officiating. Full Military Honors will be accorded by Parson-Marnati Post #95 of the American Legion Honor Guard. Burial will follow in the Earlyville Cemetery in Kersey. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
