Stratham - James J. Hayes, Jr., 77, died peacefully, with his wife Janice by his side, on Tuesday, March 31 at the Hyder House in Dover, NH.

Born in Portsmouth, NH on June 13, 1948, Jim was the son of the late Doris (Hoyle) Hayes and James Hayes.

Jim grew up in Portsmouth NH, attended Portsmouth schools, and graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1966. He went on to earn his B.A. in Mathematics at the University of New Hampshire. Upon graduation in 1970, he married Janice Gorski of Exeter NH. They lived in Hampstead NH for 43 years, where they lovingly raised their two sons, Christopher and Bryan. Recently, they moved to Stratham in the seacoast NH.

Jim is survived by his wife of years 55, Janice; his two sons, Christopher (wife Rashelle) of Richmond VA and Bryan (wife Happy) of Scarborough ME; and five grandchildren: Aaron, Tristan, George, Arthur, and Vivian.

Jim had a successful 44-year career as an educator, splitting his career between school systems in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He worked as a high school math teacher, math & science department head, assistant principal, and principal, and then advanced to become an assistant superintendent and superintendent of schools. He received both his Master's in Educational Administration and his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Boston University. In the early years of his career, Jim also served for nine years in the NH National Guard and the US Army Reserve. Upon retirement, he served as interim principal of two elementary schools on the NH seacoast.

Balancing time between work life and family life was always a challenge. Nevertheless, Jim would always say that his greatest love in life was his family. A devoted husband and father, he did his best to be there when it counted most, providing love and support to Janice, Chris, and Bryan. He shared his love for learning with the boys and inspired high expectations for results. He fostered a family life characterized by having fun, laughing, and fondly teasing each other. Jim was a very generous, caring, and loving person.

Jim was passionate about sports. He played baseball for his high school, winning the state championship in his junior year. He went on to play baseball at UNH for three years. He coached soccer, basketball, and baseball for his sons' youth sports teams. He was a fan of many pro and college sports teams, especially the Red Sox and Patriots. Jim was always an avid reader and enjoyed collecting and listening to all types of music. We will also remember him for his love of history, politics, and photography and his spontaneous "mystery rides". An optimist by nature, Jim always looked for the best in people.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, April 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 7 at 11 a.m. at St Michael's Church, Front St., Exeter, NH. Burial will follow at the Exeter Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charites of New Hampshire