John Hayes

John Hayes passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of October 22, 2026, leaving behind Leslie Harris, his beloved wife of 42 years, and their children, Meggie and Matthew.

John was the loving brother of James Hayes, SJ; Mark and Ann Marie Hayes; the late Neil Hayes and Paula Paterson; and the late Dennis and Rosita Hayes. He was proudly crowned the "#1 outlaw" by Leslie’s siblings and their partners: Harvey Harris and Nikki Lorton; Roger Harris and Marcie Gibson; Terri and Mark Zajac; Keith Kaplan and John Cashman; and Barbara King. He was the cherished son-in-law of Norman Kaplan, and his many nieces and nephews were simply his biggest fans.

Informally and affectionately known as "St. John," he had a big personality and an even bigger heart. An easygoing, witty, and calming presence, John was a cherished friend who had a rare gift for taking the mundane and turning it into something fun, silly, and bright. He loved his family to pieces, adored teasing his wife, and stood as a steady shepherd to his circle of friends. A voracious reader of history and biographies, he satisfied a lifelong curiosity by traveling across the globe, proudly setting foot on all seven continents.

John was always ready to hold counsel on all things financial. In fact, helping people take charge of their financial lives was his favorite hobby—or perhaps his true love language—and the dialect was always laughter. To his neighbors, he was the undisputed "Mayor of Barry Ave," where his front porch was an ever-welcoming haven for conversation and connection. He held himself to a standard that was hard to beat. Always generous and completely true to himself, John was, quite simply, one of the best ones.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of John Hayes to: Off The Street Club, 25 N. Karlov, Chicago, IL 60624 or https://secure.qgiv.com/for/johnhayesmemorial/

John didn't want a funeral or memorial service, so we're throwing a party. Contact Leslie for details.