John Hayes

John Wesley Hayes, age 73, of Emeryville and Oakland, California, formerly of Erie, PA, passed away at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Oakland, California on Friday, September 7, 2018.

He was born April 8, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois and was the son of the late Opril Hayes Spearman. He came to Erie at the age of 3, to be raised by his late great uncle and great aunt, the late John and Emma Hicks.

John attended Erie schools including Penn Elementary School, and graduated from East High School in 1965. After high school he worked at General Electric and Penelec before moving to California in 1974. After moving to California, he was employed at the University of California, Berkeley until his retirement.  John was an avid professional and college football fan.  His favorite teams were the San Francisco 49ers and UC Berkeley California Golden Bears, and he attended many of their games. He was also an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing gourmet meals and dinners. He liked to travel and visited many countries and continents around the world.  He loved animals and volunteered at a dog shelters during his retirement.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Cammie Hicks Jones and his partner, Frank Giunta.

Survivors include his sisters, Diane Hayes of Sterling, IL, Renae Hicks of Erie, PA, his brother, Roy Spearman of Erie, Pa and a special cousin, David McKee of Oakland, CA, along with several other cousins and friends.  John will be missed and will always be remembered with love forever in our hearts.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, September 24, 2018 at Burton Funeral Home, 602 West 10th Street, Erie, PA.  Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery, Erie, PA.

Online condolences can be expressed at www.burtonfuneralhome.com