TIFFIN, Ohio — Mark Hayes, president of Tiffin City Council and acting mayor while Mayor Aaron Montz is in Japan, has died. City Administrator Dale Thornton has confirmed the news Tuesday afternoon.
Thornton said Hayes died during the night at his home and his wife discovered him this morning.
Montz returns Sunday. Councilman Rich Focht has taken the oath of council's president pro tempore. Mayor Montz electronically signed off on allowing Focht to handle any mayoral duties until his return.
A statement from the city release expressed the administration's condolences:
The City of Tiffin expresses its deepest sympathy on the passing of Tiffin City Council President Mark Hayes the morning of Tuesday, Sept.10, 2019. Hayes has served as council president since September 2017 and, at the time of his death, was performing Mayoral duties for the city. Mayor Aaron D. Montz is in Japan with an Ohio delegation promoting additional business relationships with Japanese companies.
Hayes previously served as an at-large councilman after first being appointed in September 1999 and was re-elected for three terms. He was chairman of the Finance Committee and served as council’s representative to Seneca Regional Planning Commission.
Hayes was employed by North Central Ohio Educational Service Center (NCOESC), working with students with disabilities at the Old Fort Elementary Bettsville Campus and prior to that spent 20 years in banking. He was active in the community, coaching volleyball and softball at Calvert High School. He was a member of Tiffin St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Hayes was a 1974 graduate of Bowling Green High School and a 1980 graduate of Bowling Green State University. He was married to Patty Hayes and they have two adult children, Thomas and Mary Kate.
Mayor Aaron Montz said “I am devastated to hear of the tragic passing of Mark Hayes. I had the pleasure of working with Mark my entire tenure on council, and he has played a significant role since I was elected as Mayor. I will sorely miss his knowledge, humor, friendship and sage advice.”
Rich Focht, President Pro Tempore, will assume the duties of mayor until Montz returns on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Flags at City Hall will be flown at half-staff in Hayes’ honor until after his funeral.
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