Geoffrey Hayes

When Geoff was in elementary school, the bell would ring to release the students, and a curly-haired boy with a braided rattail and hoop earring would race from his classroom to meet his mom for pickup. Often enough he'd have a new buddy in tow ready to request an afterschool playdate. It didn't matter whether his little pal was the scroungiest kid in class, or was just brand new, but he especially gravitated toward anyone who just needed a friend. He continued collecting friends throughout his life, paying no attention to what they looked like and not caring what anyone else thought of them, and he carried so many of those friendships with him for decades. Having that kind of track record is proof of strong character and that you're also likely a good time.

Being with Geoff really usually went one of two ways: you were either engaged in deep academic or philosophical discussion, or he had you laughing until you couldn't breathe. Being that he got his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics with a minor in Physics, his knowledge of all things math and science was deep and he loved to get into the minutia of things. He always said, "brevity was not his strong suit," and that could not have been more understated. But when he wasn't blowing your mind with a calculation of something you never would have attempted yourself, he was making your sides hurt with his signature sense of humor. 

Frequently described as one of the funniest people you'd ever meet, laughing with him was probably what he will be best remembered for. His ability to assess a situation in the blink of an eye and to make a joke about it could rival some of the best professional comics around. His timing and delivery killed. One of those naturally funny people who also wasn't afraid to laugh at himself and pull others in on the joke too. He also had an incredible ability to do uncanny impressions ranging from MacGruber to Stewie to a painfully embarrassing 11-year-old imitation of Ace Ventura. But his strengths were not limited to his intelligence and humor. He was also a remarkably gifted musician.

After being introduced to the guitar on a trip to visit his very cool uncle Mike, Geoff knew he wanted his own. Uncle Mike showed him how to play a basic power chord, how to tune a guitar, and Geoff took it from there. He was a natural. He requested a guitar for his 13th birthday, so his mom took him to a pawn shop to pick out a slick, shiny black, electric ax and he began teaching himself Metallica songs on it, note by note. The first song he perfected being Nothing Else Matters because it was his mom's favorite. Later, when his big brother Josh got to intern at a local rock radio station KBER, Geoff even got to play it on the air. He continued his personal musical training with the piano next, including writing some original pieces and in recent years was working on mastering the violin. Constantly setting goals, pushing himself to the next level, and having a strong work ethic not only made him an impressive musician, but a well-rounded person.

Being a hard worker was something instilled in him by his parents at an early age and something so many people benefited from later on. His father always had his kids working in the yard with him, on house projects, or involved with service to their neighbors. Because of this, Geoff was always ready to lend a helping hand, to put in the sweaty long hours, and to keep everyone entertained along the way either with stories and jokes or by quoting lines verbatim from his favorite movies.

An ability to measure how greatly he will be missed does not exist. He left behind his mother Lisa; sister Ashley, his brother-in-law Mike and their children Emily and Eleanor; father Kim, stepmother Nancy; stepsister Michele; stepsister Jesi, her husband Josh, and their children Tristan and Aiden; as well as his aunts Melanie and Magen, and his uncle Nate. He will also be remembered by extended family, countless friends, and so many coworkers. He was undoubtedly greeted in death by his big brother Josh, his beloved grandparents Ken and Muriel Hayes, his grandma Kathy, and his sweet cousin Kaitlyn. We love you so, so much, Geoff. Watching Home Alone at Christmas won't be the same without you.