Hasbrouck "Happy" Haynes Jr.

Born on April 26, 1934, in New York, New York, Happy spent much of his early life in New York, Connecticut, and Chicago. In 1956, he joined the United States Army and served with the elite 101st Airborne Division, the famed “Screaming Eagles”, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was honorably discharged in 1958 at the rank of Sergeant.

It was during his Army years that fellow soldiers gave him the nickname that would follow him for the rest of his life: “Happy.” Anyone who knew him understood why. Friendly, warm, quick-witted, and possessed of an unmistakably silly sense of humor, Happy lived up to the name so completely that many people who knew him for decades scarcely knew him by anything else.

Following his military service, Happy pursued studies in accounting at the University of Kentucky, the University of Houston, and Howard College, now Samford University. While attending Howard College, he met a young waitress named Gloria Fowler who was working at a delicatessen in Mountain Brook Village. She soon became Gloria Haynes and the love of his life.

Gloria had a daughter, Paula, from a previous marriage, whom Happy formally adopted. In 1964, Happy and Gloria welcomed their son, Michael, completing their family. Happy was devastated by Gloria’s untimely death in 2001 following a long illness. He never remarried, but later found many years of companionship, love, affection and happiness with Bunny Washburn, whose presence in his life meant a great deal to him and to his family.

Happy earned his certificate and license as a Certified Public Accountant in 1964 and went on to build an extraordinary career spanning nearly six decades. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Alabama Society of CPAs.

He began his career with Birmingham accounting firm H.L. Raburn & Co. In 1995, he left to establish a new firm with Tim Downard and Don Andra. Lewis Jones, Jr. joined the partnership in 2000, and the firm became Haynes Downard Andra & Jones, LLP, later shortened to Haynes Downard LLP.

In 2005, the firm purchased and restored one of downtown Birmingham’s oldest buildings, an 1888 cast-iron structure on Second Avenue North, which served as the firm’s home for most of the following decade.

Accounting was more than Happy’s profession. He genuinely loved his work. For years, he joked that he intended to die “slumped over his desk,” and he made a remarkably determined effort to keep that promise. Only after nearly 60 years of practicing accounting did age finally persuade him to step back from behind the desk.

Those who worked alongside him remember a man of exceptional intelligence, character and integrity who seemed to know even the most obscure corners of tax law. Yet just as frequently, they remember his humility. Former colleagues have described him as brilliant, unfailingly helpful, generous with his knowledge, and someone who took genuine pleasure in helping others succeed.

That generosity extended far beyond his professional life. One family friend remembered Happy as the person who helped his family when they needed it most, saying that they “wouldn’t be where we are now without his kindness and compassion.” Another former colleague credited Happy with helping guide him toward an entirely new career in which he could thrive. These were not isolated acts. Helping people was simply part of who he was.

Happy was highly intelligent without being pretentious, honorable without needing recognition, and generous without keeping score. He could be serious when circumstances required it, but his keen and often wonderfully silly sense of humor was never far away. He touched the lives of colleagues, clients, friends, and family members across generations, and many who knew him continued to think of him fondly long after their professional or personal paths had separated.

He also had a particular affection for his beloved Yorkshire Terriers, who brought him considerable companionship and joy.

Happy was preceded in death by his parents, Hasbrouck Haynes, Sr. and Virginia Haynes, and by his beloved wife, Gloria Haynes. He leaves behind his longtime companion, Bunny Washburn; his children, Paula and Michael; his daughter-in-law, Amanda; and his three grandsons, Colby, Connor, and Carson Haynes, along with family, friends, former colleagues, clients, and countless others whose lives were made a little better by knowing him.

Hasbrouck Haynes, Jr. lived a remarkably full 92 years. To most of the world, however, he was simply Happy. And there could hardly have been a more fitting name.

Happy will be cremated and laid to rest beside Gloria at Old Flatwoods Cemetery in Walker County, Alabama. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date.

In recognition of Happy’s strong affection for his dogs, the family suggests that those wishing to honor his memory consider making a donation to the ASPCA in lieu of flowers.