He had a special way of expressing it, too, always making that first word, love, come out a little louder and more drawn out. He left no doubt in my young heart and mind what life was really supposed to be about, Longley said. And at family gatherings, with Uncle Tom always the most senior person present, we would unfailingly carve out time and attention for our uncle to give us his word, which every time included take care of your family and treat people right.
Former Staff Sgt. Hayes, who cut his teeth in the Quartermaster Corps throughout England, France and Germany during some of the most significant wartime operations of the last century, died March 6, a month shy of his 97th birthday.