The Rev. Dr. H. Daehler Hayes

The Rev. Dr. H. Daehler Hayes passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27 at the Hope Hospice Center in Providence. He was the loving husband of The Reverend Joy Utter,   father of   Mark Daehler Hayes (Janey Dyke) ,   Elaine Brandel Hayes Pearl (Richard), stepfather of Matthew Edwards and Eric Edwards, father-in-law of Andrea Flavin, Lori Edwards, Marney Weaver; Grandfather of six grandchildren: Tanner Mark Hayes (Becca), Natalie Hayes Pearl, Ethan Edwards (Erin), Sydney Pette (Michael), Chase Edwards and Cole Edwards, and brother-in-law of Wendell Ellenwood.    He was the brother of the late  Mary Janet Ellenwood.

Born in Portsmouth, Ohio on November 16, 1936, he was the son of the late Harold Leonidas and Florence Alma (Daehler) Hayes. He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1954, from Harvard College in 1958 and from Harvard Divinity School in 1961. He then served in pastoral ministry at Zion United  Church of Christ in Cincinnati, Ohio and at Old First Reformed Church, U.C.C. in historic Old City Philadelphia, PA before moving to Rhode Island to become the Conference Minister of the Rhode Island Conference United Church of Christ and served in that position for 20 years.  He then received the honor of Conference Minister Emeritus.

After retirement as Conference Minister, he taught Ethics and Judaism, Christianity and Islam courses in the Philosophy Department at the University of Rhode Island as an Adjunct Professor for 17 years.

The multitude of ministries and commitments to serve over six decades included his passion for peace with justice in the Middle East, his commitment to civil rights for all, his forming an ongoing partnership with churches in Haiti, his dedication to the mission and outreach of the United Church of Christ in countless ways, his boundless energy, his overflowing love for his family, and his spirit of giving all of his time, talent and treasure for others as a servant of Christ’s love and peace.

  A Memorial Service of Celebration for his life will be held at 11 a.m. on October 19 for relatives and friends  at the Seekonk Congregational Church, United Church of Christ.

An Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for the Conference Churches and Clergy will take place on October 26 at 11 am at Central Congregational Church UCC 296 Angell Street, Providence, RI.

Stories and remembrances may be sent to: seekonkucc@gmail.com.In honor of the vital life and ministry of the Rev. Dr. H. Daehler Hayes, memorial gifts for mission, outreach and ministries may be directed to the Seekonk Congregational Church, U.C.C. 600 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771

Arrangements have been entrusted to J.H. WILLIAMS & CO. FUNERAL HOME. 

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