Russell E. Hayes, 86, of Charlestown, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 7, 2026. He was the loving husband of Mary J. (Godsoe) Hayes for 63 years. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late William and Ruth (Kellogg) Hayes.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, David Hayes and his wife Kathleen, six grandchildren, Bobby Mulligan Jr., Brendan Mulligan, Matthew Hayes, Connor Mulligan, Erin Mulligan and Melissa (Melie) Hayes, and three great grandchildren, Connor Hayes, Rowan Bolognese, and Skylar Hayes. He was the father of the late Martha Mulligan.

Russell was a carpenter/furniture maker. He was a skilled blacksmith and a certified instructor by the RI State Council for the Arts. He took great pride in crafting a wide variety of pieces with his hands. He was an active member of the Wakefield Rotary Club and recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary International. He was an enthusiastic contributor to the Wakefield Rotary Club's yearly Balloon Festival. He was a proud Army Veteran serving in the reserves.

His hobbies included building a model steam train railroad layout of lumbering in the late 18th to early 19th century in New Hampshire. Other hobbies included photography, antiquing, painting, and building and refinishing furniture. He and his wife, Mary, also enjoyed camping in their RV with their friends.

Visitation for Russell will be held on Thursday, March 19th, 2026 from 4 to 7 PM in the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield. Military honors will take place at 4:30 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Care New England VNA Hospice, 51 Health Lane, Warwick, RI 02886.