No man is poor who has friends. So says the closing of the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.” If that’s true, Chuck Hay was rich. Rich indeed.

“That guy literally had never met a stranger,” Chad Morse of Galva, Hay’s grandson, said of him Tuesday. “The one word I use to describe him is he had this vibrant personality - very warm and vibrant. Always looking forward to meeting people and helping people.”

Hay, a friend to many here since moving to Galva nearly 60 years ago, died Jan. 6 at Kewanee Care Home. He was 89.

“He was a Christian man of integrity,” said Kerry Anderson of Galva on Tuesday. “Integrity with his business and integrity in the community.”

Anderson, who attended First Baptist Church with Hay for many years, said he appreciated Hay’s devotion to God and the church, for whom he had served as worship leader, moderator, Sunday School superintendent for over 30 years and leader of the youth group for many years.

“I always told Chuck and Betty what an example he was of a very, very strong Christian,” Anderson said. “And the love those two had - holding hands at 89 years old. They were a very wonderful example of what life should be like, especially for a Christian couple.”

For the rest of this story, see the Jan. 14 Galva News.