OBITUARY: Korean, Vietnam War Veteran LTC. Norman C. Hayes, 89, of Indian Harbour Beach, Passes Away

Norman's highest honors included The Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star and the Air Medal

Norman served 29 years in the U.S. Army with combat tours in Korea and Vietnam

BREVARD COUNTY • INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, FLORIDA – Norman C Hayes, LTC US Army Retired was born 19 June 1932 and died November 5, 2021, at the age of 89 in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Marilyn Ellman Hayes, children Eileen McVey, Linda Cope, Laura Blomberg, Mary Sandel, Ed Hayes, Steve Hayes, Brian Hayes, and Heather Martin.

Norm was predeceased by two sons, Norman the III and Norman the IV, and his sister, Margaret Wagner, along with three brothers, Patrick, Danny, and Johnny. He is survived by his sisters, Catherine Sader and Theresa Truesdale. He and Marilyn have 44 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

Norm was born in Norwood, Ohio the son of Norman Hayes and Mary Crowley. He graduated from Xavier University in 1952. Norm and Marilyn wed at Saint Clement Church on the 23rd of August 1952 where the two of them truly became one.

He earned two Master’s Degrees, one from Army War College and another from Florida Institute of Technology in Master of Science Contract and Procurement Management in 1972.

He served 29 years in the US Army with combat tours in Korea and Vietnam. His highest honors included The Legion of Merit, The Bronze Star, and the Air Medal.

He was the Secretary for the Parent Advisory Council at Satellite High School where his children attended in the 1970s.

LTC Hayes retired in 1983. He and his lovely wife Marilyn decided to settle in IHB where they would never shovel snow again and all their family could visit.

Norm was an active member of the Patrick Space Force Base South Chapel for over 38 years. He was a lector, choir member, and Faith Formation Instructor.

Norm volunteered every Thursday at the base Medical Clinic as a TRICARE Counselor. He and Marilyn represented IHB in TRIAD, regularly attended the town hall meetings, and planned and organized the Annual TRIAD Health Fair to support seniors.

Marilyn and Norm loved to travel. They took adventures throughout Europe when they were stationed in Germany from 1955 to 1957. They circled the globe with their children in 1978 on Pan Am while assigned to Saudi Arabia from 1979 to 1982. After retiring in Florida, they cruised the Caribbean, Mediterranean, around the tip of South America, Alaska, Israel, Turkey, and the Panama Canal.

They have a true love for each other that transcends time, distance, and eternity.

A celebration of Life visitation will be held at the Beach Funeral Home located at 1689 South Patrick Drive, Indian Harbour Beach, FL 32937 on Sunday, November 7, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Funeral Mass will be held at South Patrick Chapel located at 84 Harrier Avenue, Patrick AFB, FL 32927 on Monday 8 November 2021 from 11 to 12 with a light lunch afterwards.

LTC Hayes will be laid to rest at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery located at 5525 US Highway 1, Mims, Florida on 15 November at 0930 sharp.

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