David V. Hayes

David Valentine Hayes died on May 5th, 2022, at Absolute Care, Three Rivers, where he spent the last year of his life being lovingly cared for by a dedicated and compassionate staff of amazing people. He was surrounded by his children who made certain he knew how truly loved he was in his final moments. David was born on January 10th, 1950, to Floridan and Arletta Hayes. He grew up in Westfield, PA where he graduated from Cowanesque Valley High School with the Class of 1968. After high school, he graduated from Williamsport Area Community College. Shortly thereafter, he married Nancy Russell and they had two children, Christopher and Tracey. Aside from his family, David’s true love in this world was guitars, music, and the way it brought people together. He played in many bands over his lifetime, and enjoyed nothing more than a good jam session. He had an extensive collection of guitars, and was always stalking the music stores for more, attempting to make a deal swapping equipment. Over the years, David gave away many instruments to young or struggling musicians; often people he barely knew or had just met. He was kind and generous, loved helping others, and always made certain that those he traded with got the better part of the deal. David spent most of his career working for Corning, Inc. at Sullivan Park, where he was always so proud of the projects he contributed to, earning several patents, that he displayed prominently – in his bathroom. David never met someone he didn’t consider a friend. He was a fan of inappropriate jokes and took every opportunity to share them with poor, unsuspecting waitresses, nurses or strangers. He had no filter and often said the wrong thing. He was, however, always genuinely distressed by the idea that he could have inadvertently hurt someone’s feelings. He had a well curated group of buddies and stayed in touch with many of his high school friends and band mates. David valued relationships with others above all else. David was a man who struggled mightily every day with issues associated with his mental and physical health. Though he had these dark clouds over his head, he was constantly telling others how luck he was and how blessed. He was the most grateful person we know, even when gratitude should have been hard to find. His favorite time of the year was the annual week he spent in Charlotte, NC visiting his son with his daughter. These were truly happy days. We will most miss David’s 750 phone calls a day, where he often thanked us profusely for answering. We will miss going out to lunch with him, where he would announce to every person he saw, whether he knew them on not, “This is my son! This is my daughter!”. We will miss how endlessly proud he was of us, even if he told us so often we grew weary of hearing it. We will even miss the crazy antics – the times he was sure we had perished because we didn’t answer the phone after the third attempt, his love for a good conspiracy theory, his ability to take every situation to the worst cases scenario, and his unwavering belief in aliens (he turned out to be right on this one…). So today, in honor of David, forgive someone you have been angry with, take time to visit someone you think might be lonely, share your burden with others with the intention of lightening theirs. Remember him when you are out for a leisurely drive, with the Beatles cranked up loud and your arm hanging out the window. David is survived by his two children Christopher and Tracey Hayes, his son in law, Christopher Glick, his grandsons Brody and Braden Hayes Glick, his nephews Seth and Will Watkins and Mica Benson, many cousins, and countless friends. There will be a celebration with music and food to remember David and send him off in a way fitting of who he was. Friends and family are invited to join us on Saturday, May 14th between 4:00PM and 8:00PM at the Forest View – Gang Mills Fire Department, 125 Forest Drive, Painted Post, NY 14870. Dress is casual. Feel free to wear your favorite band t-shirt or one with a stupid or inappropriate saying. We know David would have. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Corning Lions Club, who so kindly supported David by providing equipment enabling him to stay in his own home as long as possible (Corning, NY Lions Club Foundation, P.O. Box 1096, Corning, NY 14830).  Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Inc.

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