CLAYTON- Robert J. Hughes, 89, of NYS Rt. 12E, formerly of LaFargeville, died Friday, January 27, 2017 at Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown, NY.
Born on June 8, 1927 in Utica, NY, he was the only child of Patrick and Marguerite Conlon Hughes. He attended LaFargeville High School and earned his GED after his military service.
Robert entered the US Navy on April 18, 1945 during WWII, serving in Guam and being honorably discharged on July 24, 1946.
He worked for the NYS DOT, Watertown, NY, starting as a mechanic then worked in the parts department and onto management, retiring in 1990 after more than twenty years. His first job out of the military was tending bar and performing hotel work for his parents’ Orleans Hotel in LaFargeville. He was also a mechanic at Schell Garage and Crowley Foods both in LaFargeville, NY, a mechanic and bus driver for LaFargeville School District for a time.
In the summer of 1947 Robert met Joyce E. Hinckley of Cape Vincent, NY and two years later the couple were married on June 6, 1949 in the rectory of the Catholic Church, Cape Vincent, NY, with Rev. Riley, officiating.
Robert was a member of the Klock-Smith American Legion, Post No. 1788, LaFargeville, NY, Watertown Elks and VFW, Post 1400, Watertown, NY.
He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed hunting, woodworking, football and NASCAR.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Joyce; three children, a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Frank Getman, LaFargeville, NY, a son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Anne Hughes, Rochester, NY, a daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Paul Bradstreet, Webster, NY; five grandchildren, Rebecca Rangel, Nathan Getman, Meredith Graveline, Emily Bradstreet and Aaron Bradstreet; eight great-grandchildren, John, Joseph, Carrie, Mia, Ethan, Emma, Ella and Jacob.
There will be a graveside service later in the spring with military honors at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, LaFargeville, NY.
Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are with Frederick Bros. Funeral Home, Theresa, NY and condolences may be made online at www.frederickbrosfuneralhome.com.