Obituary: John J. McHugh, 86, of Hamden

From Sisk Brothers Funeral Home

John James (Jimmy) McHugh, 86, of Hamden, passed away on March 12, 2017. Jimmy was the beloved husband of the late Margaret (Peggy) McHugh and the loving father of Patricia Harkins and her husband Mark of North Haven, James McHugh of Hamden, and Sheila Schreck and her husband Joe of Hamden.

Jimmy was born in Fenagh, County Leitrim, Ireland on March 7, 1931, son of the late Thomas and Bridget McHugh.

He was predeceased by his brothers Joe (Marie), Caillin, Michael, Frank, Cyril, and Brendan; his sisters Teresa (Brendan) Gray, Philomena (Jerome) Fallon, and Patricia McHugh; his mother-in-law Rose (Conefrey) O’Neill and father-in-law John O’Neill; his sister-in-law Marcella McArdle; his brothers-in-law John, James, and Raymond O’Neill.

Jimmy is survived by his sisters-in-law Nora Laverty of New Haven, Sister Sheila O’Neill, ASCJ, and Margaret McHugh of Oxford, England; his brothers-in-law Hugh (Martha) O’Neill, Robert (Bernice) O’Neill; daughter-in-law Siobain McHugh of Madison as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

His greatest joy in life was spending time with his grandchildren Eric and Megan Harkins, Erin and Brendan McHugh, and Bobby, Rory, Patrick, and Maggie Schreck.

Jimmy emigrated to America in 1954 and settled in Hamden with the love and support of his aunt and uncle Anna (Stratton) and Charlie McHugh. He worked as a custodian for The City of New Haven Board of Education, retiring after 40 years. Jimmy was a Parishioner of St. Rita Church in Hamden and a wonderful friend to the nuns of Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. He was an active member of the New Haven Gaelic Football and Hurling Club from the time he came to America. His life was filled with love of family and friends. He will be remembered for his kindness and great Irish wit and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Jimmy’s family greatly appreciates all the love and camaraderie from his friends at the Irish American Community Center given to him over the years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Rita Church, 1620 Whitney Avenue, Hamden. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday, March 17, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Avenue, Hamden.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Rita School or Sacred Heart Academy, both in Hamden.

To leave online condolences, visit Sisk Brothers Funeral Home here.