Robert James Hay

Robert J. Hay   Age 87, a resident of Hartland, passed away on August 13, 2016.  He was born on October 19, 1928 at home in Northville, Michigan; son of Ralph and Merrenna (Longley) Hay, Sr. He was united in marriage to Dorothea J. Schwebke on August 1, 1954; they just celebrated 62 years of marriage. He was a lifelong resident of Northville; they moved to Hartland 18 years ago.   Robert began a career at Guernsey Farms Dairy working closely with John McGuire. In 1965 he took a job as a custodian with the Northville Public Schools; retiring after 20 years of dedicated service. He was an active member of Lighthouse Chapel of the Deaf in Flint for 18 years. Robert enjoyed his time at the Waterford Senior Center where he attended many programs run by the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Services (DHIS). He loved to travel and go camping with his family and friends; he also enjoyed keeping himself busy. Robert was a practical jokester with a great sense of humor. He liked playing cards, especially UNO and Skip-Bo. Robert was a fun and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.       Robert is survived by his wife Dorothea; his sons, William (Jason) Hay-Southwell, Frederick J. Hay, Nathaniel (Johanna) Hay, Jonathan (Winona) Hay, Timothy (Lianne) Hay, and Alexander (Vickie) Hay; his grandchildren, Daniel, Kendra, Taylor, Erin, Constance, Brittany, Breanna, Zachary, Rachel, Cody, and Amber; and his great grandchildren, Alexi, Hailey, Holden, Harlequin, Blues, Emily, and Keiley.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ralph Hay Jr., and his sister Margaret Chamberlain.   Visitation will be held Thursday, August 18, 2016 from 2pm until 8pm. The funeral service will be held Friday, August 19, 2016 at 11am at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. Pastor Stan Coveyou with Lighthouse Chapel of the Deaf will officiate the service.  He will be laid to rest at Glen Eden Memorial Park in Livonia.   Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Services (DHIS), 25882 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48836.