07/23/2026
With heavy hearts, we share that our father, Michael Hayes, peacefully passed away late Thursday afternoon at his home overlooking Granite Lake, with his children and dogs by his side. Never one to give up the fight, Michael waged a lengthy battle against glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, for nearly four years while maintaining his sense of humor and appreciation for his favorite beer, Guinness Extra Stout.
Hayes Car & Truck Repair was an important part of Dad's life. Building the business from the ground up in the 1980s, his strong work ethic and respected mechanical expertise helped it grow into a trusted local garage serving Stoddard and beyond. The business thrived by providing reliable repairs, commercial tire service, emergency towing, and heavy-duty recovery for all types of vehicles. Dad was well known for being 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 recovering a tractor-trailer jackknifed across Route 9. Through his work, he built a community with all of you, our loyal customers, and a professional network of friends whom he greatly cherished.
Kelly and I are incredibly grateful to Dad, Mom, and Hayes Car & Truck Repair. The opportunities they created for our family have opened many doors and helped make many of our dreams a reality. We are committed to honoring their shared work ethic, dedication, and vision for the family business.
Dad fought especially hard this past year when his tumor recurred shortly after losing our mom. He bravely faced another surgery and additional rounds of treatment. That fight was worth it because he was recently blessed with the treasured title of Grandpa and enjoyed many precious visits with his grandson, William Michael Hayes, over the past several months.
Please save the date for visitation hours, which will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday, July 31, at Cheshire Family Funeral Home in Keene, New Hampshire.
A full obituary for Dad can be found here:
https://www.cheshirefamilyfh.com/obituaries/michael-hayes-iii
Our family is deeply grateful for the support, friendship, and trust so many of you showed Dad throughout the years. Thank you for being part of the community he worked so hard to build. And a special thank you to Gary Sawyer and Lee Carpenter for helping Hayes Car & Truck Repair when our parents were unable and helping us carry the shop's legacy into the future!
Sincerely,
Mike Hayes & Kelly Hamshaw
