TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Retired Dutchess County Court Judge Gerald “Jerry” Hayes passed away Saturday while holding hands with his wife of 56 years, Sheila Hayes.
Judge Hayes was known for fighting injustice during his storied legal career and he fought just as hard, family members say, with lymphocytic leukemia for the past three years.
Judge Hayes was well-respected in both the legal and political communities throughout the Hudson Valley, especially his Dutchess County base. The 82-year-old Hayes earned his BA from St. Anthony’s, a Capuchin Franciscan friary and college in New Hampshire, with the intent of becoming a priest. His college graduation changed his path and he pursued a career in law.
He received his Juris Doctorate from Fordham Law School in 1968 and soon after was hired as an assistant district attorney in Manhattan under the legendary New York County DA Frank Hogan who held the seat for 30 years. Hayes, like Hogan, was known for his professionalism and integrity.
In 1971, Hayes was hired as a Dutchess County Assistant District Attorney by then DA Albert Rosenblatt, who went on to become a judge in the New York State Appellate Court. Hayes would often refer to Rosenblatt as his friend and mentor.
In 1980, Hayes went into private practice, primarily as a criminal defense attorney but also accepted an opportunity to protect the rights of the less fortunate and served as a part-time assistant public defender in Dutchess County. He distinguished himself in those roles for the next 20 years.
It was at the public defender’s office that Judge Hayes had an impact on the recently-elected Dutchess County DA, Anthony Parisi. “I had the privilege of working alongside Jerry Hayes at the public defender’s office when I started my legal career,” Parisi said. Parisi had left to become an assistant DA and appeared before Hayes, who was appointed to serve as Dutchess County Court Judge by then-Governor George Pataki in May 2000. “He was a brilliant legal mind and committed to public service and justice, embodying all of the qualities that make a great judge; fair and respectful to all. This is a profound loss to our community and to the family he loved so deeply. He will be greatly missed.”
After being appointed by Pataki, Judge Hayes successfully ran for the seat and held it until he chose not to seek reelection in 2010. “If you spent more than five minutes with Judge Hayes,” said Todd Bender of Mid-Hudson News, “You knew that he enjoyed his time on the bench more than any other aspect of his amazing legal career.”
State Senator Rob Rolison recalled Judge Hayes reaching out to him after he became chairman of the legislature and offered his assistance. “He was fair and thorough in his decisions and always there when you needed advice and counsel,” Rolison said while pointing out that his father, the late Senator Jay Rolison also counted Hayes as a friend and counselor. “Most importantly he was my friend,” Rolison said.
Upon retirement at the end of 2010, he continued to serve on the Dutchess County Criminal Justice Council, was an active member of the Dutchess County Bar Association, and embraced the opportunity to continue mentoring many attorneys who sought his counsel. He was also appointed to the Dutchess County Board of Ethics in 2019 due to his desire to serve his community.
Retired Dutchess County Court Judge Peter Forman also spoke on the passing of his former colleague, calling him a “judge’s judge”. The fellow county court judge said Hayes “possessed a brilliant legal mind, especially in the field of criminal law, and brought a humble demeanor to the county court bench, where he sat for 10 years. Judge Hayes had the respect of all who appeared before him, as well as those of us who were lucky enough to have served with him. He always tempered justice with compassion. A good friend, Jerry loved his wife, Sheila, and their family more than anything.” Judge Hayes and his widow raised six children, including current Dutchess County Surrogate Court Judge Michael Hayes. Jerry Hayes and his wife also enjoyed the fun of having 13 grandchildren who they enjoyed immensely.
Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin held Hayes in high regard. “Judge Hayes had the perfect judicial temperament. On the bench, he exuded strength but also had the courage to be merciful. The community has lost a brilliant legal mind.” McLoughlin has also followed in the path of Judge Hayes, with both becoming adjunct professors. Hayes taught criminal law at Marist, where McLoughlin continues the tradition. Hayes also taught at SUNY Dutchess and lectured on the topic of criminal law throughout the state.
Poughkeepsie attorney Lisa Hartley also admired Judge Hayes. “He was so many things to so many of us in the legal profession. Judge Hayes was an extremely bright legal scholar and zealous advocate. At the same time, he was also tremendously kind, humble and generous. Without hesitation, he would share his expanse of knowledge and time with less experienced attorneys or others seeking to “pick his brain”. He never changed after taking the bench and was always quick to greet a colleague with a warm hello and that big smile.”
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at William G. Miller & Son Funeral Home in Poughkeepsie. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 3 at 10 a.m. at St. Martin de Porres Church in Poughkeepsie with burial immediately thereafter at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.
