Obituary of Bruce Hayes

Elry Bruce Hayes, 70 of Port Murray NJ died on Wednesday April 3, 2019 in the St Luke’s Warren Campus Hospital, Phillipsburg NJ.

He was born in the hamlet of Anderson in Mansfield Twp. NJ on May 26, 1948. He was the son of the late Elry and Mary Robinson Hayes.

Bruce graduated from Palmer Memorial Institute in North Carolina, and Rutgers University, New Brunswick NJ.

Bruce worked for the Health and Human Services in Trenton NJ. He was the Administrator retiring in 2008.

He was a Co-Founder of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Warren County. He was President of the Human Relations Commission of Warren County. He was involved with the NORWESCAP Circles program. A fellow in NJ Leadership program.

Bruce was a member of the 1st Baptist church where he served as a Deacon.  Everyone he met recognized his kind heart for people. He loved serving God in the community.  He collected watches, loved fishing, gardening, traveling and his family. He loved music and was quite the talented singer.  His love for reading and knowledge always made him the go to man for any question. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Catherine Matey Hayes, a daughter Rev. Erin Hayes- Cook and her husband Lawrence of Rahway NJ., a brother Alan Hayes and his wife Christina of Oxford NJ, and a sister Lauren Renee Hayes, and her husband Joseph E. Hicks of Berkeley Ca. nieces and nephews; Ben and Gabby Orszulak and Kenya R Hicks and Joshua B. Hicks.  One grandchild on the way.

Homegoing Services will be celebrated Thursday at 12 Noon in the 1st Baptist Church 150 Jackson Street Port Murray NJ. The viewing will be in the church 10AM to Noon on Thursday in the church. Private cremation will follow the services.

Memorial donations to the 1st Baptist Church 150 Jackson Street, Port Murray NJ 07865

The DeVoe Funeral Service of Washington NJ has been entrusted with his arrangements