John Hayes Kinsella

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Hayes Kinsella, who left this world surrounded by his beloved family on January 11, 2026.

John was born on July 29, 1960 in La Mesa, California to Dorothy Hayes and Captain James J. Kinsella, USN. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1982 and went on to a successful career in business and consulting. John was a beacon of light, his shining personality illuminating the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. John was a constant source of joy and optimism, rooted in a lifelong practice of daily gratitude.

John’s greatest pride and the center of his life was his family; Trish, his wife of 27 years, his daughter Olivia, and son Jimmy. As a devoted and nurturing husband and father, the family home was filled with friends, music, pets, and most importantly cooking. John will be remembered for his love of bold California Cabernets, stacks of well-loved cookbooks, a trusty Le Creuset pot, and many memorable meals.

A proud and passionate master gardener, John spent many days working in his garden, cultivating local plants to create a habitat for pollinators. The garden is alive with bees, butterflies, and birds and is on the distinguished Rosalyn Carter Butterfly Trail, which fosters a habitat for pollinators, particularly the Monarch Butterfly.

John was instrumental in founding the Petaluma California Community Garden which flourishes to this day. He served on the board of Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in New York’s Hudson Valley. Through his board affiliation with CEFS, an NC State nonprofit focused on sustainable agriculture, John organized the annual Farm to Fork picnic in Charlotte.

John also found joy in fitness, working out for more than 10 years with the F3 group in Davidson, NC. Over the years, John was one of the top fundraisers for Bike MS, where he raised money for research fighting multiple sclerosis, and rode in the annual 100 mile bike race many times. As an Eagle Scout, John was a prominent member of Troop 72 in Cornelius, where he helped many Scouts grow and reach Eagle, including his son, and served as a leader for all.

John leaves behind his siblings: Anne Smith, Joe Kinsella (Susan Siegel), Kate Kinsella (Linda Go), Sally Willis and Patrick Kinsella (Desiree), as well as many nieces and nephews whose lives were touched by his kindness and positivity.

A Celebration of Life will be held on January 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at Raymer - Kepner in Huntersville, NC. The family will receive friends and family from 10:00 - 11:00 AM prior to the service. The Kinsella family asks that guests please wear blue or floral patterns in place of black attire. Donations may be made in John’s name to the Robert Preston Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University