James P. McHugh Sr.

JAMES P. MCHUGH SR. – in Plymouth, of Winchester June 6th, 89 yrs. Beloved husband of the late Barbara (Flaherty) McHugh. Loving father of James P. McHugh Jr., his wife Carolyn of Billerica, the late Kevin McHugh and his wife Susan of Burlington. Devoted brother of Nancy Treacy, her husband Robert of HI., and the late Charles, John, Louis, Vincent, and Lorraine McHugh and Rita Bird. Cherished “Grampy” of Amy McHugh and Michael McHugh of Burlington, James McHugh, his wife Kirsten of Plymouth, Kristin Valcourt, her husband Richard of Petersham, David McHugh of Chelmsford. Great-grandfather of Richie, Lucas and Jakob. A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Monday, June 13th at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn at 10. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours, Sunday, June 12th, 2-6 p.m. Internment in Wildwood Cemetery Winchester.

OBITUARY:

James P. McHugh Sr., of Winchester, 89, passed away at his summer home in Plymouth on June 6th after a long illness. He was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Flaherty) McHugh.

Born in Woburn, he was the son of the late Charles and Louise Bridget (Woods) McHugh. Jim was raised and educated in Woburn. While in school he worked as a caddy at the Woburn Country Club and developed a lifelong love for the game. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving our country on the USS Tolawa in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Sadly, two of Jim’s brothers, John and Vincent McHugh, were killed in action during World War II. A plaque honoring both of his brothers is proudly displayed at the Shamrock School in Woburn, as his mother became a Gold Star parent.

When Jim returned home from the war, he began working for the MBTA. He then had a 40-year career with New England Telephone in Winchester. After he retired he worked for many more years at the Winchester Tennis Club.

Jim met his future bride Barbara Flaherty in the North End of Winchester. They married in 1948 and lived in Winchester for the next 67 years. They raised two children, Kevin and James P. Jr., and were extremely proud of their sons. They were also blessed with five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, whom they adored. Summers were spent at White Horse Beach in Plymouth for the last 30 years. Jim loved having all his family around during that time. He enjoyed relaxing on the front porch where he would read, do crossword puzzles, and chat with neighbors passing by. He also spent hours gazing out at the ocean, binoculars nearby, hoping for a large ship to appear. They often did and that would make his day.

Jim was a very friendly, kind man. He and Barbara had many friends and almost all shared their passion for Bingo. He enjoyed it so much he started a weekly Bingo game at the Immaculate Conception Church and ran that until, unfortunately, the church closed. He was also active with the Knights of Columbus and was a member of the Winchester Elks.

Sadly, Jim was predeceased by his wife Barbara last year, his son Kevin in 2011, his parents, and his siblings Charles, John, Louis, Vincent, Lorraine McHugh and Rita Bird.

Jim is lovingly survived by his son James P. McHugh Jr., his wife Carolyn of Billerica, and daughter-in-law Susan McHugh of Burlington. He was the devoted brother of Nancy Treacy and her husband Robert of Hawaii. Cherished “Grampy” of Amy McHugh and Michael McHugh of Burlington, James McHugh Jr. and his wife Kirsten of Plymouth, Kristin Valcourt and her husband Richard of Petersham, and David McHugh of Chelmsford. Great-grandfather of Richie, Lucas and Jakob. He’s also survived by many adored nieces and nephews.

A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn, on Monday, June 13 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to calling hours, Sunday, June 12, 2-6 p.m. Internment in Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester.