SOUTH PARIS — Duane C. Hayes, 73, passed away, Thursday, Nov. 8, at Market Square Health Care Center, after a long illness.

He was born Sept. 30, 1939, in Woodstock, the son of Roland and Doris Cole Hayes. Duane grew up on the family farm on Hayes Hill in Greenwood. He went to Greenwood City Grammar School then to West Paris High School from 1954 to 1958, where he played four years varsity basketball and baseball. Duane went to Gorham State Teachers College from 1958 to 1962, where he played four years varsity baseball.

Duane taught for five years at the West Elementary School in Portland, three of those years also as principal of the Jackson Elementary School in Portland. He was also principal at the Norway Elementary School from 1967 to 1970, then he was principal at the Senior Elementary School in Rumford. During this time, he also received his master’s degree in education from the University of Maine, Portland-Gorham. From 1974 to 1991, Duane was principal at Virginia Elementary School in Rumford. Duane retired in 1991.

Duane was Scout Master in West Paris, Troop 132 for seven years. He also coached youth baseball and was a certified Western Maine Board umpire for 30 years. Duane also was a freelance writer for the Sun Journal for 18 years. Duane was an avid hiker and loved to fish.

Duane was married to Avis M. Farr on June 6, 1959. She passed away June 2, 2009.

He is survived by his brothers, Erwin Hayes and wife, Doris, of New Hampshire, Ardell Hayes and wife, Betty, of Norway and Glen Hayes and wife, Rachel, of Gray; his children, Scot Hayes and wife, Tina, of Perham, Loanne Parr and husband, Robert, of Phillipsburg, N.J., Joanne Yates and husband, Jeff, of Greenwood and Austin Hayes and wife, Jenn, of Muncie, Ind.; his grandchildren, Orin Hayes, Kaleb Hayes, Heather Moore, Kimberly Moore, Amanda Parr and Rebecca Parr; and his great-grandchildren, Kaelynn Marie Hayes and Kylee Emma Hayes.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

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