John Neil Hay, Sr., 81, of Sweet Home passed away Tuesday. He was born in Trenton, Nebraska to Clark Eli and Rose Marie (Hrouda) Hay.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was awarded the Korean Service medal, United Nations Service medal and the Good Conduct medal.

He lived in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, New York, Arizona, California, and Oregon. John worked as a heavy construction worker. Some of the major projects he worked on include the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Glen Canyon Dam, the Green Peter Dam, and the Foster Dam. He was the last worker to leave the Foster Dam project with his final task being the placement of the letters “FOSTER DAM” on the power house.

John was a member of St. Helen’s Catholic Church, Elks, VFW, and Sweet Home Senior Center.

He loved doing puzzles and playing any type of game, especially cards, cribbage, and dominoes. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. The Sweet Home Senior Center was his home away from home.

John is survived by: his wife, LaVern; sons, John Jr and his wife, Kathy Hay, Jerry Hay and his life partner, Bev Gaskey, Jim and his wife, Lori Hay, Clark and his wife, Angela Hay, and Scott Hay; only daughter, Danielle and her husband, Steven Hanscam; eight grandchildren; five step grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and three step great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and three sisters.

A viewing will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Monday, March 4, 2013 at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Rosary will follow at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, at St Helen’s Catholic Church. Final Burial with Military Honors will be at Gilliland Cemetery. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m., at the Sweet Home Senior Center.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.