Joseph "JK" Kempton Hayes

Kempton was born on September 27, 1934 in Halifax to James Bertram and Alice Eaton (Hunter) Hayes. Kempton grew up in Armdale and often talked about his childhood memories at the family home, KELAVI, before the property was sold to become the future site of the Halifax County building on Dutch Village Road.

He attended Queen Elizabeth High School, and represented Halifax at the first Rotary Club “Adventures in Citizenship”, in Ottawa. As an army cadet and a good shot, he also represented Nova Scotia at the DCRA (Dominion of Canada Rifle Association) meet at Connaught Ranges.

After high school, Kempton was accepted into the first class at Collège Militaire Royale de Saint-Jean. He enjoyed the year, but a summer tour of army bases across the country convinced him of a poor future for young infantry officers. He returned to Halifax and enrolled at Dalhousie University, where he became heavily involved in student affairs. He managed the varsity football and basketball teams, operated the canteen at the Dal rink and served on the student council.

In 1962, he received his medical degree together with the Halifax Infirmary Medical Staff Prize as best surgical intern from Dalhousie University. Despite showing promise as a surgeon, his heart was in general practice as a family doctor. He joined the practice of Dr. F. Murray Fraser, an exceptional mentor in the field of family medicine, and quickly learned the work ethic necessary to build a successful practice which, at that time, was comprised of 70 hour weeks, nights, weekends, house calls, surgical assists, obstetrics, and most importantly, good listening skills.

In 1969 MSI was introduced to Nova Scotia and Dr. Hayes accepted the position of Associate Medical Director of Maritime Medical Care Inc., the plan administrator. He worked closely with members of the Medical Society of Nova Scotia (now Doctors Nova Scotia) to explain the rules, settle disagreements and misunderstandings, and overcome the antipathy many doctors felt towards “state medicine” at the time.

After three years, he returned to practice with an office in the growing suburb of Clayton Park. The practice grew quickly and with Dr. John Shaw he established the Northwest Medical Group where he worked until his retirement in 2000.

He was always very active in the affairs of the profession, serving on various committees, including President of the Halifax Medical Society, Chair of the Section of General Practice, and Chair of the Admissions Committee of Dalhousie Medical School. After retirement, he was instrumental in the establishment of the Section of Senior and Retired Doctors. He was a preceptor to many medical students over the years. For an extended period he was Acting Head of the Halifax Infirmary Department of Family Medicine. In the midst of a busy practice, he was challenged to take the certification exam for the College of Family Physicians, which he did successfully, earning the CCFP designation.

He was recognized by his peers with membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Honour Medical Society. He was a charter member and a past president of the Probus Club of Halifax. He was also a proud member of the Black Battalion Historical Marker Society, representing the officers of No. 2 Construction Battalion, CEF where his father served during the First World War.

Following retirement, he devoted his life to his family, all of whom he loved totally and unconditionally. It started in 1958, after a long chase, when he married Joan Conrad. Thus began a love affair that lasted 67 years this past August. Their love was passed to their five children, each of whom also loved him totally and unconditionally and each of whom genuinely believed they were his “fav”. That was his gift as a father.

He regularly commented on how well each of his children had married, and among the five couples, they presented him with 14 grandchildren, each one, he said, smarter, and better looking than all the rest. As a grandfather, he will be forever remembered as Big JK —- not to be confused with his first grandson, who was Little JK until his stature made the nickname ridiculous. As with many grandparents, he had the time to enjoy his grandchildren in a way that parents can never seem to find. He was a patient teacher, regularly attended their sporting events, academic milestones and achievements, and absolutely delighted in leading the rendition of happy birthday to each on their special day. He carried the crowd at the high parts. “Go legs go” was the mantra imparted to each of the hockey and ringette players as they laced up their skates. But by far what they enjoyed the most were his tales of days gone by, particularly the shenanigans he got up to during his formative years. He told the tales of hijinks with his friends, most of whom we remain uncertain actually existed. The delight he saw in his grandchildren‘s faces was all he needed to keep the stories coming. He never tired of telling the tale of seeing the girl across the room at the dance at St. Mark’s Church and we never tired of that one either. Despite repeated telling, Joan blushed every time. He was a legend to them all.

He had an irreverent sense of humor, and he always knew he hit the mark when Joan admonished “Kempton!” albeit with a smile in her eyes.

He is survived by all of his family, his loving wife Joan, sons Peter (Maria) and children Jonathan (Taryn) and Daniel (Moira Taylor), Robert (Jacqueline) and triplets Emily, Hannah (Brad Burgess) and Alexander, and daughters Susan (Arthur Thomas) and children Ben, Reide, Rachel (Evan Landry), Haley (Tim Sullivan), and Dylan (Jennifer), Sarah Rackley (Gordie) and children Justin, Colin and Lily, and Jennifer Thompson (Jay) and children Peter, John, and William. And above all, the next generation of the family, great grandchildren Marshall, Melanie and Lucy.

He loved them all equally and unreservedly and sent along the following apology to be included here and to finally settle the score: sorry gang, no favs.

He is also survived by his sister, Ginny Hopkins, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Leslie Ann (Gaunt).

His was a life both well lived and well loved, and we have a lifetime of fond memories to cherish, perhaps most poignantly, his final visit to his beloved Port Dufferin on August 16th for our annual Hayes family get together where he was able to join in to celebrate Joan’s 90th.

Visitation will be held on Thursday September 11, 2025 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm in J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. Funeral service will take place at 11am on Friday September 12 in St. James Anglican Church, Port Dufferin, NS.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Prescott Group Halifax, or a charity of your choice.