Daniel Sickels Hayes

Daniel Sickels Hayes 1959 – 2022 TOPSHAM – Daniel Sickels Hayes, 62, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 4, 2022 after surgery complicated by underlying conditions, with his wife and daughters by his side. He was a man of integrity devoted to his family, career and life in Maine. He was born July 5, 1959 in Lewiston to Norman Everett and Katherine Sickels Hayes. The youngest of five children, he spent his childhood on West Auburn Road, learning to ski at Lost Valley, and summers on Casco Terrace in Falmouth and exploring the islands of Casco Bay. “Starting at age 11”, he worked for the family business “carrying 50-pound bags of flour” and as a yard boy caring for Falmouth estates with his brothers. These passions for family, work, skiing and boating endured throughout his life. He graduated from Edward Little High School in the top 10 and was a three-sport athlete. He attended Bowdoin College, his father’s alma mater, where he met his future wife, Anna McManus Hayes, fell in love and began their life together. He belonged to Theta Delta Chi fraternity where life-long friends (including Pat McManus, Doug Belden and Jeff Gorodetsky) were made. He pursued his love of skiing through the Bowdoin ski team as captain and coach. Majoring in math and economics set him on a career path in finance, ultimately attaining executive level positions at BIW, Unum and Prudential, before ending his 42-year career as COO of Custom Disability Solutions upon his passing. He was known as the “guy who got it done.” He held strong opinions but was open to other perspectives. A dedicated and strong leader, he had great business acumen and made strong connections with his colleagues, maintaining loyal relationships with them. He was also a dedicated volunteer, providing his no-nonsense get-it-done expertise as a board member to the Topsham Public Library and Snowbrook Village Condo Association. Dan and Anna were married for 40 years and lived out their marriage in selfless love and devotion to each other. They raised three daughters much in the same manner as Dan, instilling in them his love of skiing and the water, while impressing upon them the importance of family, education and doing the right thing. He loved his girls and was proud of their accomplishments and chosen careers: an actuary, pediatrician and school counselor. He loved the men his daughters married and the grandchildren he was teaching to ski. Dan expressed his love best through cooking for family and friends, including his mother who lived until the age of 98. He was grateful for what he had, and he didn’t need much to make him happy. He loved the neighborhood where he raised his family and built longtime friendships, his life in Maine and annual vacations at the Samoset and Sugarloaf. He travelled the world for work and family traditions, but was happiest coming home. He is survived by his wife, Anna McManus Hayes; his children Megan Farrior (Fields), Katie Ozarowski (Alan), Molly Ellis (TJ); his grandchildren Grace, Mary and Greta Ozarowski, James Farrior and Kali Ellis; his siblings Linc Hayes (Priscilla), Robert Hayes (Bonnie), Nancy Conant (Dave), Peter Hayes (Michelle); his father-in-law, Reginald P. McManus; in-laws Chris McManus (Laurie), Kathy McManus (Jorn Flatvoll), Pat McManus (Mary Elizabeth), John McManus (Deborah); and many nieces and nephews who loved him and his hospitality. He was predeceased by his parents Norman Everett and Katherine Sickels, and his mother-in-law, Kathleen Flanagan McManus. Dan’s life will be celebrated with visiting hours Friday Feb. 18, 5 to 7 p.m. at Brackett Funeral Home and with a Mass Saturday Feb. 19, 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Brunswick. Private burial in the spring. To leave a note or share a memory: please visit http://www.brackettfh.com . In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made in Dan’s honor to Maine Coast Heritage Trust 1 Bowdoin Mill Island #201 Topsham ME 04086 mcht.org; or Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation, Maine Adaptive P.O. Box 853 Bethel, ME 04217 maineadaptive.org


Share your condolences, kind words and remembrances below. You must be logged into the website to comment. Subscribers, please login. Not a subscriber? Register to comment for free or subscribe to support our work.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.