Michael Joseph Hayes III, a beloved father, brother, and friend, passed away surrounded by his devoted family at his home on Granite Lake on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the age of 63. Michael had courageously battled glioblastoma for nearly four years. As one friend recently remarked, he was an outlier in every sense of the word. Not only in beating the initial prognosis more than three times over but also in how he continued to stoically push through the hardest days. Michael’s peaceful passing came just over one year after his wife of 41 years, Susan (Randall) Hayes, passed in June 2025.

Michael was a man who found purpose in working hard, taking risks, and caring for those he loved. He enjoyed sharing stories; a drive down any local road would always feature anecdotes about a memorable vehicle extrication or connection to a good friend or customer. Driving was one of his favorite activities; whether for work or pleasure, he enjoyed motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, and cars and trucks of all types. His adventuresome spirit led to many escapades with treasured friends, including automotive-related shenanigans in high school and boating in Boston Harbor in more recent times. Michael was loved by many for his sharp one-liners that could always make you crack a smile, even at the most challenging moments. He was deeply proud of the life he and Susan built for their family.

Born on September 10, 1962, to Judith and Michael J. Hayes Sr. in New York City, Michael was raised on Long Island with his five brothers and one sister before the family moved to Stoddard, NH after visiting the area during summer vacations. His teenage years were full of adventures and early entrepreneurial activities that often involved something with a motor. He graduated from Keene High School in 1980 and then earned an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Services - Truck & Diesel Mechanics from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in 1982.

Michael met his future wife, Susan, when he was dispatched to disband a party at one of his mother’s apartment buildings in Keene and Susan then later asked him to work on her Chevy Nova. They were married on July 9, 1983, in Keene and immediately began to build and plan for their life together. Michael was working long hours running the shop for Cheshire Transportation in Brattleboro while renovating a foreclosed home in Keene. They quickly started a family together, welcoming their two children, Kelly and Mikey, to the world. Soon after, they moved to Stoddard, NH, where Michael and Susan started Hayes Car & Truck Repair, which continues to serve the local community today. In 1987, Michael and Susan purchased a home on Granite Lake in Munsonville, NH, their beloved homestead of 39 years. Granite Lake was a wonderful place to raise their young family as they spent time boating, snowmobiling, and hosting gatherings for many family members and lifelong friends.

As their children grew up and found their own partners and married, Michael and Susan warmly welcomed Scott and Katie into their family’s life, greatly enjoying time spent whether at Granite Lake, their children’s own homes, or on many outings. When Michael received his life-changing diagnosis in 2022, Susan left her nursing career and their family rallied around him to ensure that he had the best care possible. Michael had many meaningful visits from family, friends, and neighbors throughout this time - finding great joy in sharing stories, often over a round of his favorite beer, Guinness Extra Stout. His family will forever cherish memories made on a trip to Ireland in December 2023 where he enjoyed his Guinness straight from the source. In the final months of his life, after enduring multiple surgeries and rigorous rounds of treatment, Michael proudly became a grandfather with the arrival of Mikey and Katie’s son, William Michael Hayes.

Hayes Car & Truck Repair was an important part of Michael’s life. Building the business from the ground up in the 1980s, Michael’s strong work ethic and respected mechanical expertise led to its growth as a trusted local garage offering many services including reliable repairs, commercial tire service, emergency towing, and heavy duty recovery for all sorts of vehicles. Michael was well-known for being very resourceful with the humble fleet of tow trucks he maintained over the years - always getting the job done, whether it was pulling a neighbor back onto the road during a snowstorm or a tractor-trailer jack-knifed across Route 9. He built a community of loyal customers and a professional network that he greatly cherished.

Michael served as a board member of the New Hampshire Towing Association for a number of years and was also a founding board member of the New Hampshire Towmasters. He enthusiastically participated in many trainings and completed WreckMaster certifications to continue developing his skills with the added bonus of seeing his towing friends. His children have many memories of riding shotgun with Michael on tow truck calls and the family’s annual trips each May to the New Hampshire Towing Association’s Tow Show at Hampton Beach.

Michael is dearly missed by his loving children, daughter Kelly Hamshaw and her husband, Scott, of Bristol, VT., and son Michael C. Hayes and his wife, Kaitlyn, of Keene and their son William Michael Hayes. He is also survived by his siblings, Matthew and his wife, Janis, of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Elizabeth Lazzaro of Hampton, NH; Casey Hayes and his partner, Jen, of Stoddard, NH; and Andrew Hayes and his wife, Jess, of Marlow, NH along with his mother-in-law, Irmgard Randall of Keene, NH, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. Michael was predeceased by both of his parents, Judith and Michael, and his brothers Kevin Hayes and Brian Hayes.

Michael’s family is deeply grateful for the expert and compassionate care he received from the Neuro-Oncology Team and the 3K Infusion Center nurses at the Dartmouth Cancer Center in Lebanon, NH. The staff from Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services (HCS) brought much comfort and support to Michael and his children in his final weeks.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Cheshire Family Funeral Home, 44 Maple Ave, Keene NH. A celebration of life and burial will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s honor to Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services in Keene, NH (Donate - Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services) or to the Child Life Fund at the Dartmouth Cancer Center to support children undergoing cancer treatment (please that note your gift is “in memory of Michael Hayes for Fund ID# 22554” and can be made online or sent to the Dartmouth Health Medical and Healthcare Advancement Team, 1 Medical Center Drive HB 7070, Lebanon, NH, 03576).

All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.