Bernard Arthur "Gunner" Hayes, 83.

WESTBOROUGH Bernard Arthur "Gunner" Hayes, 83, a long time resident of Westborough passed away at his home Friday, May 15, 2009, surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Mary Therese (White) Hayes, with whom he celebrated their 58th anniversary on October 14.

He was born in Whitman, Massachusetts on Dec. 17, 1925, a son of the late T. Frank and Esther M (Roberts) Hayes. He received his education in Whitman schools and graduated from Whitman High in 1943.

Mr. Hayes enlisted in the U S Navy on March 27, 1944 and was engaged in the Asiatic- Pacific Theatre as a Radioman 3rd class seeing action at Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the Philippine liberation. He was especially proud of his participation in the largest mine-sweeping operation in the Sea of Japan. He received four medals during his enlistment.

After an honorable discharge, he was employed by New England Tel & Tel. Before being employed by Honeywell, Inc., he worked for over 40 years as a heating control manager until his retirement in 1990.

Gunner loved all types of sports, playing semi-pro baseball in the 40s. He played softball well into his 50s while coaching in the Westboro Little League and Babe Ruth levels.

'Salty' was predeceased by his two brothers, Thomas and Robert and a son, Jimmy Hayes. Besides his wife, he leaves his daughters, Kathleen Cardoza of Shrewsbury and Regina Bonofiglio and her husband James of Auburn; two sons, John, and his wife Brenda of Westborough and Marty and his wife Sally of Shrewsbury. He loved his six grandchildren, Renee Da Silva, Michael Cardoza, Ian and Alex Hayes, Sam Hayes and Gabriella Bonofiglio. His two great-grandchildren are Alexia and Neila Da Silva. He always cherished the time spent with his family of 'black dogs'.

Bernie was a communicant of St. Luke The Evangelist Church in Westborough and was a former member of Council 85, Knights of Columbus for many years.

His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 18, at 11:00 A.M. in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. Burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Luke's Cemetery.

Calling hours at the Rand-Harper-Pickering Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., are Sunday, May 17, from 2 to 6 P.M.

In lieu of flowers he asked that memorial donations be made to Westborough Fire Department Ambulance Gift Fund, 42 Milk St., Westborough, MA 01581 or to the James Michael "Jimmy" Hayes Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Mary Hayes, 212 West Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581.

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