Obituary for John Roy Hayes
John Roy Hayes, 76 of Tipton passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023. He was born in Mount Pleasant on November 13, 1946, the son of the late Fred and Tura M. (Knopsnider) Hayes. On November 28, 1970 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, he married Victoria L. DelBaggio who survives. He was preceded in death by his son Joshua Hayes in 2007. Also surviving is a brother Fred Hayes; and several nieces and nephews. Along with his son, he was preceded by a brother, Gilbert Hayes; an infant brother, Galen Hayes; and a sister, Ruth Jean Butler.
John was a 1964 graduate of East Huntingdon Township High School and attended Susquehanna College in ‘65 before transferring and graduating from Juniata College in ‘69, playing football for both colleges. He retired from Bellwood-Antis after a long and successful tenure as football coach and Athletic Director.
He was an assistant football coach at Tyrone from 1969-1978 before becoming the head coach at Bellwood-Antis from 1980-2017 where he amassed 323 wins, numerous conference and district championships, and 3 appearances in the PIAA state semifinals. He was a member of the West Central Coaches Association, Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association, past president of the Inter County Conference, Pennsylvania State Coaches Association where he served as past president and District 6 director, and the Tyrone Elks Club. He was inducted into the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame in 2020, the Pennsylvania State Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Central Pennsylvania Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010.
John was a beloved member of the Bellwood-Antis community. He mentored many young men through his time coaching and developed a strong camaraderie with his staff, all of which were former players. He was also a family man and loved the close knit Italian family of which he became a part.
A 1:00 pm funeral service for John Roy Hayes will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at John R. Hayes Field at Memorial Stadium in Bellwood with Father Michael Pleva officiating (inclement weather location will be the Bellwood-Antis High School Auditorium). Friends will be received at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc. from 4-8 pm on Thursday, October 5, 2023, and 1-4 pm on Friday October 6, 2023. Interment will be made at Logan Valley Cemetery.
Contributions in John’s memory may be made to Bellwood-Antis Scholarship Fund ℅ Coach Hayes Memorial Scholarship, 400 Martin St, Bellwood, PA 16617, or the Bellwood-Antis Public Library, 526 Main St, Bellwood, PA 16617.
John was a 1964 graduate of East Huntingdon Township High School and attended Susquehanna College in ‘65 before transferring and graduating from Juniata College in ‘69, playing football for both colleges. He retired from Bellwood-Antis after a long and successful tenure as football coach and Athletic Director.
He was an assistant football coach at Tyrone from 1969-1978 before becoming the head coach at Bellwood-Antis from 1980-2017 where he amassed 323 wins, numerous conference and district championships, and 3 appearances in the PIAA state semifinals. He was a member of the West Central Coaches Association, Central Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association, past president of the Inter County Conference, Pennsylvania State Coaches Association where he served as past president and District 6 director, and the Tyrone Elks Club. He was inducted into the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame in 2020, the Pennsylvania State Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Central Pennsylvania Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010.
John was a beloved member of the Bellwood-Antis community. He mentored many young men through his time coaching and developed a strong camaraderie with his staff, all of which were former players. He was also a family man and loved the close knit Italian family of which he became a part.
A 1:00 pm funeral service for John Roy Hayes will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at John R. Hayes Field at Memorial Stadium in Bellwood with Father Michael Pleva officiating (inclement weather location will be the Bellwood-Antis High School Auditorium). Friends will be received at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home, Inc. from 4-8 pm on Thursday, October 5, 2023, and 1-4 pm on Friday October 6, 2023. Interment will be made at Logan Valley Cemetery.
Contributions in John’s memory may be made to Bellwood-Antis Scholarship Fund ℅ Coach Hayes Memorial Scholarship, 400 Martin St, Bellwood, PA 16617, or the Bellwood-Antis Public Library, 526 Main St, Bellwood, PA 16617.