Michael Hays has died

I remember when I first met Mike. It was in the beginning days of the VCCC (what we refer to now as the "old" VCCC). Mike was in the 'second' wave of members, after the first 12 met at Alex Taber's house.

Mike was the most outgoing, funny, knowledgeable person. He had a penchant for Lewyt Electronics, very early Kenmore PowerMate models, and Compacts. His Kenmore collection was very vast. Hans sent a very unique Kenmore canister from Mike's collection - a round canister with two 'trays' on a rolling cart. The trays hold cleaning cloths, furniture polish, and the attachments. I've only seen it in the catalog from the mid 1950's. It now sits with pride in the 1950's room of the Vacuum Cleaner Museum.

Mike himself gave me a Royal upright model 1. I brought it to the 'old' VCCC convention in Milwaukee and demonstrated it for everyone. That was one of my favorite conventions of all time.

It was Mike who talked the Ann Haynes from Hoover into letting the 'old' VCCC into the Vaults at the Hoover Factory. It there we saw a Constellation with an electric hose and power nozzle, as well as a clear Dimension 1000. I have all the pictures of the 'vaults' in the newsletter (that was in the days when the 'old' VCCC used to have a printed, color newsletter four times per year). No one else but Mike could have talked our way into the vaults, since they sat to the right of the research and development rooms. I don't think we were supposed to take pictures, but we did.

The next year, I was President of the 'old' VCCC and we had our Convention in St. Louis. Mike helped with the first Cleaning Contest which was held in my living room at my home. That was the year that we met Tania Voigt and Craig Long. Mike had the most outrageous things to say - and we thought Tania would be horrified and probably leave. She didn't. She stayed, and she laughed. Mike could 'read your beads' but in a nice way (if that makes sense) so that no one was mad after he said it.

I remember the first time I was at Mike's home. It was there that I saw the very first KitchenAid mixer (weighted like 50 pounds). As well as his 'double' central vac units he had tied together (two central vacs operating together at the same time through one pipe). He had vacuums everywhere, but they were all rare models you don't see anywhere else.

I'm really going to miss him. He made the 'old' VCCC into the unique club that it was - so unlike anything today. It was before the days for forum, cell phone, internet, etc. When collectors were really excited to see each other and show their 'treasures'. When we were just a group of friends who enjoyed each others company. I'll never forget him.


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Post# 376030 7/28/2017 at 14:47 (2,456 days old) by kenkart ()
Checkrate/Likes 8 Longtime early vacuum cleaner and appliance collector Mike Hays passed away last Sunday, Donald and I talked with his family, they are doing ok, As most of you know Mike was a good friend for many years and just last year gave me his entire collection, I have remained in fairly close contact with him since and just talked to him several weeks ago,he seemed to be doing better then, he had a long history of severe heart problems, and according to his Sister his heart just gave out, a wealth of knowledge and a very entertaining wonderful person is gone, he will be greatly missed..Hans Craig

Post# 376039 , Reply# 1 7/28/2017 at 16:09 (2,456 days old) by rugsucker (Elizabethton TN)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Mike Hays* Very sad.I was one of several who visited and saw his amazing collection in his home & basement & garage and knew him as a great host and cook.With Mike I was able to see many flea markets,thrift stores and Great Vacuum Stores of Ohio(many now gone). Jimmy

Post# 376040 , Reply# 2 7/28/2017 at 16:20 (2,456 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Mike was the BEST* I remember when I first met Mike. It was in the beginning days of the VCCC (what we refer to now as the "old" VCCC). Mike was in the 'second' wave of members, after the first 12 met at Alex Taber's house. Mike was the most outgoing, funny, knowledgeable person. He had a penchant for Lewyt Electronics, very early Kenmore PowerMate models, and Compacts. His Kenmore collection was very vast. Hans sent a very unique Kenmore canister from Mike's collection - a round canister with two 'trays' on a rolling cart. The trays hold cleaning cloths, furniture polish, and the attachments. I've only seen it in the catalog from the mid 1950's. It now sits with pride in the 1950's room of the Vacuum Cleaner Museum. Mike himself gave me a Royal upright model 1. I brought it to the 'old' VCCC convention in Milwaukee and demonstrated it for everyone. That was one of my favorite conventions of all time. It was Mike who talked the Ann Haynes from Hoover into letting the 'old' VCCC into the Vaults at the Hoover Factory. It there we saw a Constellation with an electric hose and power nozzle, as well as a clear Dimension 1000. I have all the pictures of the 'vaults' in the newsletter (that was in the days when the 'old' VCCC used to have a printed, color newsletter four times per year). No one else but Mike could have talked our way into the vaults, since they sat to the right of the research and development rooms. I don't think we were supposed to take pictures, but we did. The next year, I was President of the 'old' VCCC and we had our Convention in St. Louis. Mike helped with the first Cleaning Contest which was held in my living room at my home. That was the year that we met Tania Voigt and Craig Long. Mike had the most outrageous things to say - and we thought Tania would be horrified and probably leave. She didn't. She stayed, and she laughed. Mike could 'read your beads' but in a nice way (if that makes sense) so that no one was mad after he said it. I remember the first time I was at Mike's home. It was there that I saw the very first KitchenAid mixer (weighted like 50 pounds). As well as his 'double' central vac units he had tied together (two central vacs operating together at the same time through one pipe). He had vacuums everywhere, but they were all rare models you don't see anywhere else. I'm really going to miss him. He made the 'old' VCCC into the unique club that it was - so unlike anything today. It was before the days for forum, cell phone, internet, etc. When collectors were really excited to see each other and show their 'treasures'. When we were just a group of friends who enjoyed each others company. I'll never forget him.

Post# 376045 , Reply# 3 7/28/2017 at 18:04 (2,456 days old) by pinkge (Indianapolis,Indiana)
Checkrate/Likes 5 *Mike was...* a very fun person,from what I was told by several members.They told me stories,that made me laugh.He will be missed by those who knew him well.Rest in peace and I'm sure he is telling the angles how to vacuum and which vacuum will work best.What would one use on the clouds?

Post# 376048 , Reply# 4 7/28/2017 at 19:52 (2,456 days old) by compactc9guy (Bathurst NB)
Checkrate/Likes 3 *reply* My sympathies to every one here who knows him he will be miss im so sorry

Post# 376051 , Reply# 5 7/28/2017 at 21:12 (2,456 days old) by earthling177 (Boston, MA)
Checkrate/Likes 2 I'm sorry to hear that -- may he rest in peace.

Post# 376054 , Reply# 6 7/28/2017 at 23:39 (2,456 days old) by portable (Corvallis, OR)
Checkrate/Likes 6 This is very sad news. Mike was a wonderful guy, a one-of-a-kind person who worked hard and filled his house with the things he loved. We will miss you, Mike.

Post# 376057 , Reply# 7 7/29/2017 at 02:31 (2,456 days old) by fantomfan57 (Central Texas)
Checkrate/Likes 3 *Simpathies...* I am sorry for everyone's lost. Although I never met Mike, I can see he touched peoples lives. Being remembered fondly is a great achievement. You all lost a friend, and I am sorry for that.

Post# 376061 , Reply# 8 7/29/2017 at 04:35 (2,456 days old) by Collector2 (Moose Jaw, Sk)
Checkrate/Likes 2 Sad news. Rest in peace Mike. Chatting with you was always a pleasure.

Post# 376075 , Reply# 9 7/29/2017 at 13:30 (2,455 days old) by airwaylady (Milwaukee, WI)
Checkrate/Likes 5 *Dear Friend, Michael* Mike Hays was a great friend and I had the great pleasure of visiting him at his home several times with Fred Stachnick, Jimmy Martin, John Young, and Rob Mitchell. Mike was always happy to have company back then. After his last near death experience he seemed changed and did not want anyone to visit and was not involved in our club meetings any longer. I did get the chance to talk with him one last time about two months ago and we had a nice talk. God Bless Him. Mike, Rest in Peace! Tania

Post# 376095 , Reply# 10 7/29/2017 at 19:12 (2,455 days old) by Westinghouseman (Capron, Illinois, 13 miles due north of Belvidere, Illinois.)
Checkrate/Likes 4 *Very Sad News:* Michael and I were very good friends. I spoke with him on the phone a few weeks ago and am just in shock over his passing. In 2004 Marc Turbyfill, Terry Lattz and I visited with him at his home in Greenfield. Michael was a kind, generous soul. May he rest in eternal peace!

Post# 376097 , Reply# 11 7/29/2017 at 20:36 (2,455 days old) by ge1969 (Jefferson, GA)
Checkrate/Likes 3 I never got the pleasure of talking to or meeting Michael, but really wish I had. I hope he's happy knowing that two of his cleaners now have places of honor with me, a wonderful red and white Hoover Constellation and my ultimate dream cleaner, the Model C-100 G.E. Swivel-Top with power nozzle. It lives right with Terry Latz's Model 60 Electrolux, so that a part of each of these wonderful people is one of the first things I see when I get up every morning. Toby G.

Post# 376104 , Reply# 13 7/29/2017 at 23:58 (2,455 days old) by hygiene903 (Galion, OH)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *RIP Mike!* So sorry to hear Mike is gone. I also had the privilege and pleasure of visiting with Mike in his home in Greenfield about 11 years ago along with Norm Brown and my son. I had never seen such a large collection before, not only vacuum cleaners but mixers and other kitchen appliances as well! And as Jimmy said, he was a great cook and host as well. He had prepared lunch for us consisting of sloppy joes, coleslaw, brownies, and I forget what all else, and we had to move some vacs out of the way before we could sit at the table to eat. He introduced me to a different way to eat sloppy joes, which was open-faced and topped with the coleslaw. just had to try one "Mike's way" and it was delicious! Had some great conversations during our visit as well. We were there most of the day but the time went by way too fast. He was a great guy and will truly be missed. Jeff

Post# 376100 , Reply# 12 7/29/2017 at 22:50 (2,455 days old) by Gsohoover (Reidsville, NC)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *RIP* Mike, though, I did not know you. You brought joy to many and have touched many in the vacuum world. I hope he rests in peace. I have two machines from his collection, courtesy of Hans, that I will cherish. Rest In peace Michael and all the best to his family and friends. -Tyler

Post# 376115 , Reply# 14 7/30/2017 at 07:14 (2,455 days old) by kenkart ()
Checkrate/Likes 4 *When I came home from work* This morning, I used the big NSS Pig I got from Mike to clean my car out with,He wanted to hear it run one more time last year as I was getting ready to load it on the truck, he vacuumed the kitchen and told me as a child he had seen a Pig being used at the big Lazarus department store in Columbus, he always wanted one and had bought this one several years earlier, I asked him if he wanted to keep the pig or any thing else, he said " No , I have had my time with them, now they are yours", He was a totally unselfish human being, and I'm going to miss him.

Post# 376132 , Reply# 15 7/30/2017 at 11:03 (2,454 days old) by Columbus (South-Africa)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *Deepest Condolences-* My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends. It truly is a huge loss for someone as empathetic and dedicated to others to pass on, He will still live on, in the memories of fellow collectors who he touched in his lifetime. May God be with his family and friends. Adrian

Post# 376166 , Reply# 16 7/30/2017 at 22:26 (2,454 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)
Checkrate/Likes 2 *My deepest sympathies to his family, as well.* I've heard so many stories. I'll be sure to add his name and a brief story in our "In Memoriam" book. It is a book listing all of the deceased members of The V.C.C.C., the original vacuum collectors' club. It is always displayed with reverence at our conventions. I'm sure he and Terry have a lot to talk about. Sleep in peace tonight, Mike. John, Vice President of the one and only V.C.C.C.