HAYES, CHAMPION OF DOWN-AND-OUT, DIES.

Byline: ANGIE VALENCIA-MARTINEZ Staff Writer

Charles ``Bud'' Hayes, who dedicated his life to helping the poor and people with drug and alcohol abuse problems, including those in the San Fernando Valley, died Saturday in a motorcycle accident. He was 55.

Hayes was killed about noon when he lost control of his Harley-Davidson on the San Diego Freeway in Orange County when he attempted to slow down to avoid hitting the car in front of him, police said. He died at the scene.

Most recently, Hayes served as executive director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the San Fernando Valley. Throughout his life, he assisted in the development of more than 100 alcohol and drug programs, sober-living centers and shelters. He lived in Santa Monica.

After graduating from Chaminade High School in West Hills in 1969, he started abusing alcohol and drugs. The once-stellar scholar and student body president became homeless and turned to a 12-step program for recovery.

``He came to grips with his own demons,'' friend Jim O'Connell said Monday. ``He worked tirelessly for the past 20 years to aid the plight of individuals who experience problems with drugs and alcohol abuse, those suffering from mental illness and the homeless.''

Earlier this year, Hayes was honored for his work with social services and was named Chaminade's distinguished alumnus of the year.

``I very closely identify with Luke's gospel story of the prodigal son,'' he said in his nomination form. ``I had been lost but then was found, and without this life-changing experience, I would not be capable of doing the job that God has obviously meant for me to do.''

Hayes, known for his love of Harleys, surfing, American Indian rugs and Chinese artifacts, often used his own story as inspiration for addicts.

``He made a comeback,'' said Dean Gautschy, president of the Valley group with which Hayes served. ``His work had personable meaning to him. He made a point to help the down and out.''

The Rev. Ted Ley, Hayes' cousin, who will lead a memorial service later this week, said Hayes did a lot for the homeless. He worked with human-service organizations, including SRO Housing Corp. in Los Angeles, a nonprofit dedicated to building a healthy community for homeless and low-income people in L.A.'s Skid Row neighborhood.

SRO purchases single-room-occupancy hotels downtown and renovates and refurbishes them as low-income housing while providing social support services.

``He worked with the marginal in many respects,'' Ley said. ``He always had high ideals about society. He gave his whole life to it.''

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Bernardine's Catholic Church, 24410 Calvert St., Woodland Hills.

Hayes is survived by his 12-year-old son, Kyle, his mother, Nancy, and a brother and sister.

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com

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