Michael F. Hays
August 4, 1958 ~ January 4, 2026
Born in:
Portland, Maine
Resided in:
Falmouth, Maine
FALMOUTH – Michael F. Hays, 67, passed away on January 4, 2026. He is the loving husband of Brenda M. Grant-Hays with whom he shared 45 years of marriage.
Michael was born August 4, 1958, in Portland, Maine. He is the son of the late Albert and Patricia K. (O’Gara) Hays. Michael graduated from Westbrook High School and then received his BS in Architecture from Wentworth Institute in Boston where he met his wife and business partner Brenda. He continued his study through the Construction Specifications Institute and received certification in 1987.
Michael received his Architectural license in Maine in 1989, in the State of New York in 2011 and in the State of New Hampshire in 2012. He is one of the founding partners of Grant Hays Associates, Inc., Architectural and Interior Design firm where he designed hundreds of projects throughout the state through which he will be remembered.
He was past board member and President of the Maine chapter of the construction specifications institute from 1989 to 1993. He also supported his local community through involvement with the Maine State Ballet, where he contributed professional services, architectural expertise and was an active board member from 2007-2011.
In addition to his wife Brenda, Michael is survived by his children Ryan M Grant-Hays and Hannah KG Hays, his siblings Kevin Hays and wife Maryanne, Brian O’Gara and wife Kate and Maureen O’Gara-Richards and husband Matt as well as several nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law.
He was an avid outdoorsman who loved all sports, outdoor activities and cherished his Wentworth alumni brothers with their annual camp and golf excursions.
To have known him was to love him therefore Michael’s Celebration of Life will be at the new Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral, and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland on Saturday, January 31, 2026, beginning with a time of visitation from 1-2 PM followed by a service at 2:00 PM and then a reception at the funeral home. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.
Services
Celebration of Life: Saturday, January 31, 2026 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center
300 Allen Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
Funeral Service: Saturday, January 31, 2026 2:00 pm
Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center
300 Allen Avenue
Portland, Maine 04103
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I’ll see you on the other side amigo. Save me a seat, ok? Love you, Unc.
Eric
Brother, I’m gonna miss your bright smile. I’m gonna miss our bro hugs and I’m gonna miss up bantering about everything. Rest in peace Mike love you, brother.
Eternal rest grant unto him O LORD and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Rest In Peace Michael
To Brenda and family. I’ve known Mike since he was dating Bren before their marriage and have always been impressed by his love of his profession and family. So many memories of building railroad tied walls at Mt Abram, camping at Baxter State Park, holidays, family get togethers, thanksgivings , Christmas’s and the list goes on.
Simply put, I’ve always liked and loved Mike. He was family, and will be dearly missed.
Tu es parti trop tôt, tu nous manques beaucoup ❤️.
Si les larmes pouvaient bâtir un escalier et les souvenirs un chemin, nous monterons jusqu’au ciel et, nous te ramènerons à la Roseraie, où nous avons partagé nos vies, des moments inoubliables,, agréables pendant vos vacances en France.
Avec toute notre amitié pour l’éternité dans nos cœurs ❤️.
On t’aime Sophie, Daniel Amélie et Yoan.
Sans oublier notre soutien à toute votre famille pendant ces moments difficiles, bises à vous Brenda, et les enfants.
The best of the best. Our entire team was heartbroken to hear of Mike’s passing. His enormous smile and kindness when he walked through the door brought the spirits of the entire shop up every time he entered.
” Happy Hump Day -Team X” e-mails from Mike would put a smile on all our faces and ensure us we were half way there for the week! “Hey Bubba” greetings from Mike even if you were simply walking by. Mike got to know each and everyone of us here at XPress. He made every employee here feel special. In a world where it’s easy to just come and go Mike always took the time…. If you ask any past or present employee they would all say the same ” Mike is our favorite!”.
To say we lost a great one gives it no justice. Brenda, Hannah and Ryan our deepest condelences. Lean on all of the great memories from a great man.
-The Crew at XPress Copy-
Patty O’Gara Beliveau 💕
I\’m so happy I was part of so many adventures with you. Concerts, skiing, nights out at the Bear, dinner parties, and birthday dinners – you will be in my heart forever! I sure miss you.
Brenda and Family:
My thoughts and prayers to all of you on your loss.
Denise Hamilton
Portland Country Club
My wife Paula and I met Mike and Brenda at the Maine State Ballet where our daughters danced. Mike became a very dear friend. He was a wonderful man. He was without doubt one of the kindest and most decent people I have ever met. A prince of man. Brenda, Hannah and Ryan, we are so sorry for your loss. He was so proud of you all.
-Julie
Mike was a one of kind. For nearly 30 years he has been a colleague and friend. As an architect, Mike was one of best and had a one-of-a-kind personality. He was passionate about his work, was creative, and possessed the ability to connect with customers in a manner that built confidence. Mike had an amazing ability to see into the customer’s objectives and seek solutions that achieved great things with a touch of practicality. Working with Mike over the years has been privilege! His direct nature, knowledge, and sense of humor was a great combination that has been appreciated by all who knew him.
On a more personal note, I have appreciated his friendship, advice and the many conversations and meetings we have attended together. Mike had a great outlook, possessed contagious optimism and always had a little fun along the way while accomplishing great things. Ralph Waldo Emerson was attributed with saying, life is a journey and not a destination! Mike clearly had a great journey full of experiences, great people, wonderful accomplishments and friendship. I can’t think of a better way to have had a fulling life!
Mike’s legacy is what we each have learned, experienced and appreciated best about Mike and will carry with us in all that we do. We are all better people for having known Mike. Thank you to Mike for all that he has accomplished and enriched each of our lives along the way.
Rest in Peace My Friend and Thank you! Owens
My deepest sympathy to Brenda, Hannah, and Ryan for this huge loss to your family. Michael was such a fine man; always a smile and a helping hand. I’m shocked and saddened to know he is no longer here in body. I am so sorry.
B2M2
Mike was a wonderful person that helped me in so many ways. He would give his great laugh, confident voice, friendship easily and often.
As a carpenter he let me lean on his knowledge of building and design at any time. Grateful for you sir.
I’ve had the distinct pleaser of knowing Brenda, Hanna,Ryan his immediate family and they all accepted me into there home over the years and I’m grateful to know each and everyone of you.
I hope the you get a chance to heal in the wake of Mikes passing. Love you all
Thanks Mike
I’ll miss you for sure