Obituary of Francis Joseph McHugh

Francis Joseph, "Joe" McHugh, left us on the morning of August 9, 2020. The eldest, and "only" child of Francis and Mary McHugh, Joe is survived by his wife Linda and daughter Jennifer, as well as a coterie of hangers on, known colloquially as his "brothers and sisters:" Ken McHugh (Arsenia), Mary Jones (the late Mike), Kathy Licari (Rick), Patrick McHugh and Margaret Marshall (John). He is fondly remembered by his in laws, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Joe's personal style was the antithesis of "larger than life," yet in living that way he was larger than life to us all. He was a captain in the National Guard, yet rarely spoke of it, though he loved to make the artillery guns fire, and even once built a (semi) working cannon that has been used more than once in a stage production. He was a librarian for Howard County, Maryland, but you would never have guessed thanks to the number of books he kept in his own house. He was a wit par excellence, and if you were on the end of a cutting remark, you knew, but also, maybe you didn't, because he really was smarter than you, and more well read. Joe loved Linda and Jenn with all his heart and he loved the rest of his family that much as well, even the hangers on, if it did take him a bit longer to admit it. He made a mark on us all and will be greatly missed. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday, August 11, 2020 from 3-7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 10:45 am in Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, Massapequa Park with Military Honors to be rendered following the funeral mass. A private burial will take place in Calverton National Cemetery. All CDC recommended guidelines apply to everyone entering the building; facial coverings are to be worn at all times, 6 feet social distancing rules are to be followed throughout the building, physical contact such as shaking hands, hugging, etc.... should be avoided. Services/Visiting at the funeral home will be limited to 33% occupancy capacity (40 attendees). As people exit the building additional people will be allowed to enter