Francis "Frank" E. Hayes, 91, of Clinton, beloved husband of 66 years to the late Marie Cuneo Hayes, died Nov. 22 after complications from heart surgery. He was born Jan. 19, 1922 in Milford, Massachusetts to the late Daniel Roy Hayes and Albina Guertin.

Frank spent his early years in Milford, Massachusetts, and then moved to New Haven. He worked for the United States Army Ordinance before enlisting in the United States Naval Reserves. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Baltimore as the captain’s yeoman. During his service on the USS Baltimore he earned five battle stars. In October 1944 he was transferred to the United States Naval Small Craft Training Center in San Pedro, California to work as a court recorder.

After the war, he returned to Hamden, earned his accounting degree from the University of New Haven, and graduated from the University of New Haven School of Executive Development. He also completed one year of the Executive MBA Program. He worked for 15 years as the consolidation accountant at Safety Car Heating and Lighting Company in Hamden, and then joined the United States Naval Products Division of United Nuclear Corporation, where he worked as comptroller for more than 25 years before retiring.

Frank and Marie travelled in their motor home for many years, visiting all contiguous 49 states and Hawaii. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 6378,VFW Post 9918, and an active member of the Westbrook Veterans Honor Guard. He served as a Eucharist Minister for St. Peter the Apostle Church in Naples, Florida before returning back to Clinton, where he served as an usher at St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation. 

He is survived by his sons Michael Hayes of Colchester and Greg Hayes of Clinton; a sister, Katherine Hayes Corrao of Miami, Florida; and sister-in-law Rita Alexander of West Haven. He was predeceased by his sister Alice Hayes Rabaioli and her husband Robert; and three brothers, William Roy Hayes and his wife Mary, Robert Edward Hayes, and Joseph Harold Hayes and his wife Catherine.

Friends may call Monday, Nov. 25 from 5-8 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church of the Visitation, 54 Grove St, Clinton. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, Rt 145, Westbrook. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Westbrook Veterans Honor Guard, 6 George Dr, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. The Guilford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, visit  www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.