THE PROFESSOR who tragically died in a fire in Kilmurry Village on the University of Limerick campus will be laid to rest in his native Kilmihil, County Clare, this Friday (June 28).
91-year-old Professor Michael Hayes, a highly-regarded academic, was found dead in a house in the UL campus village last week after a fire broke out at the premises.
Tributes were paid this week to the retired chemical engineer and father of two, who was part of the Carbolea research group, which focuses on the production of fuel from feed resources rather than fossil fuels.
Professor Shane Kilcommins, the provost and deputy president of the University of Limerick, commented on RIP.ie that the late academic was “a wonderful scholar, colleague, and a gentle, kind man”.
“Great champion of sport and students. Will be dearly missed in the University of Limerick,” Professor Kilcommins wrote.
Professor Hayes died in the house fire at Kilmurray Village shortly before midnight on Thursday last (June 20).
It is understood he had been living in the campus village for a number of years. Professor Hayes, a married father of two, was a native of Kilmihil, County Clare.
Many tributes have been paid to the late professor and his work both at UL and the University of Birmingham, where he previously worked.
One mourner wrote that the late professor “was a highly respected and brilliant academic with a huge publication list, but he will be remembered less for that than for his indefatigable energy, his devotion to his many students, and to the athletes who he inspired and helped to great successes over many years”.
“He was always supportive of those around him, colleagues and friends, and took a great interest in what they were doing.
“He loved a chat and was a great listener. He was never shy about expressing his opinions on ‘decisions from on high’ and events of the day.”
Prof Hayes was married to Denise, and father to Dan and Katie, brother of Mary and the late Paddy, Tommy, Danny and John.
He will be deeply missed by granddaughter Dorothea, sisters-in-law Maureen and Maura, son-in-law Finn, Dan’s partner Lalithia, nieces Marie and Mary, nephews John, Tom, Tom, Gerard, Joseph, Michael, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, a wide circle of friends, colleagues, students, athletes, and neighbours.
Prof Hayes will be reposing this Thursday evening from 6pm at St Michael’s Church, Kilmihil. Funeral Mass will take place on Friday at 12 noon, followed by burial at the local ceremony.
