Judge Hayes was born in Rochester, New York in 1921. He attended the University of Rochester from 1940-1941. His time as a student was interrupted by his service in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946, but he then returned to the University from 1950-1952 to complete his undergraduate degree. He received his Juris Doctor from Albany Law School in 1955.

Judge Hayes passed the Bar in 1955 and worked in private practice for a year. In 1956, he was employed by Allstate Insurance Company as a claims adjuster. From 1956-1959, he was an advisor for the Rochester Ordinance District. Judge Hayes was a partner in the firm of Thompson & Hayes in Rochester from 1959-1965. From 1965-1974, he was a solo practitioner. Judge Hayes also served on the Board of Directors of the Rochester Housing Authority from 1963-1972.

Judge Hayes was one of the three bankruptcy judges who led the court into the era of the 1978 Bankruptcy Code. Appointed by District Judges Harold P. Burke and John T. Curtin under the 1898 Bankruptcy Act, he was later appointed by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to a 14-year term under the 1978 Reform Act. He served as the Bankruptcy Judge in Rochester until January 1992.

Having practiced extensively in bankruptcy court before becoming a judge, “Ted” (as he was known) knew how critical it is to a specialized court that there be predictability, practicality and accessibility. The lawyers practicing before him in Rochester knew precisely what he expected of them, and he published nearly every one of his decisions. Weekly motion calendars in Rochester might have listed dozens of matters but proceeded swiftly.

He, together with Judges McGuire and Creahan, “brought the court to the people,” for the benefit of debtors and creditors alike. He sat monthly in Lockport, NY until Judge Creahan took over the Niagara County appearances, and monthly in New York’s Southern Tier, first in Elmira and later in Watkins Glen.

Among his major cases were that of the C.H. Stuart Company (1981), which was known worldwide as Sarah Coventry Jewelry, and that of the Watkins Glen Motor Speedway (also 1981). He also provided extensive assistance to District Judge Burke in the notorious 1972 case of Stirling Homex Corporation.

Judge Hayes and his wife Betty were ardent “do-it-yourselfers” who loved working on the home they built outside Rochester near the Erie Canal in Fairport, N.Y. He died in 2006 at the age of 84.

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This memorial was prepared with the assistance and contributions of Hon. Michael J. Kaplan, Hon. Carl L. Bucki, Lisa Beaser, Mary Grace Bessinger, Barbara Ridall, and Cory Sandor.