John T. Mooney, 81, longtime chairman and owner of Chicago-based Hayes Mechanical Inc., died Monday at home in Northbrook. Mr. Mooney took over the business from his father-in-law, Dan Hayes, who started it in 1918. The business grew under Mr. Mooney’s tenure. The business, now owned by Mr. Mooney’s sons, services power and utility boilers for many major utility companies, including Commonwealth Edison Co. and Nipsco. Mr. Mooney’s son John D. Mooney said the traits most important to his father were honesty and integrity. “We have third-generation employees and third-generation customers,” John D. Mooney said. A Chicago native, Mr. Mooney lived in Northbrook for 30 years. He was a past president of the Chicago Uptown Lions Club and the Boiler and Tank Contractors Association of Illinois. In addition to his son, survivors include his wife, Lavonne Hayes Mooney; two other sons, Richard J. Mooney and Thomas D. Mooney; a sister; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Norbert Catholic Church, 1809 Walters Ave., Northbrook.
