Walter Loring Hayes

Walter Loring Hayes of Westbrook, Maine passed away peacefully on June 8th at the age of 77. Wally is survived by his wife Bernie, his son Ryan, his daughter Katie, and his granddaughter Kyla. He is preceded in death by his mother Annis Berry Hayes, father Charles Earle Hayes, sister Kathleen Chapman, and sister Katherine Steeves. Wally was born on March 28, 1940 in Portland, Maine to Annis Berry and Charles Earle Hayes. He married Bernie in 1966 after being set up on a blind date. He graduated with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Gorham State Teachers College. He then did his Doctoral work at Boston University. Wally was a math teacher in the Westbrook School System for nearly 50 years, and devoted his life to educating kids. He encouraged his students both inside and outside the classroom to achieve their goals by organizing Variety Shows, directing both the Yearbook Committee and the Student Council (for which he was also the State Director for many years), and leading the WHS Bellringers. He was always the first to school and the last to leave, to ensure that any student who needed help would have it. In addition to his many duties at WHS, he was a Boy Scout leader and Camp Director at both Camp Hinds and Camp Sebaic. Wally was very active with the Horatio Alger Foundation, a scholarship program for kids who have overcome adversity to succeed in education. In his spare time, he was an accomplished magician and speaker. He also became a marriage officiant later in life, and officiated the weddings and unions of many of his former students. His children remember him as a man who would try anything once, and then become fully invested in those things he truly enjoyed. Wally was very active in the Masons. He was a past Master of Warren Phillips Lodge # 186. He was past District Education Representative for the 17 District. He was past Commander of Portland Commandery No. 2. He was current Recorder of Portland/St Alban Commandery No.2 and holder of the Knights Templar Cross of Honor. He was also a 33 Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Services are as follows: Visiting hours are on June 16th from 5 - 8pm, and a Memorial Service will be held on June 17th from 11 - 1pm, both at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church Street in Westbrook. A reception will follow at 1:30pm at the Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Avenue in Portland. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Wally’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Knights Templar Eye Foundation Inc, or the National Kidney Foundation. Condolences can be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com.

Walter Loring Hayes

March 28, 1940 - June 8, 2017

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