Obituaries: Edward F. X. Hughes
March 23, 2018
EDWARD F.X. HUGHES
October 12, 1930 – March 16, 2018
Jacksonville, FL former Orange County Resident
Edward F. X. Hughes, former Principal of Crispell Middle School and James I O’Neill High School, died on March 16, 2018, in Jacksonville, Florida, after a long illness with his wife, Joanne Reilly Hughes, at his side.
A devout Christian, he received the Sacrament of the Sick moments before his death which is a great comfort to his family. Dr. Hughes and his wife have been married 59 years. The son of Edward and Margaret Dwyer Hughes, his birth was recorded at Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital, NY on October 12, 1930. His sister, Rita Hughes Schwartz followed two years later and has remained a steadfast friend throughout his life.
After serving two years in active naval duty during the Korean War, he welcomed the GI Bill that helped him finish his education at St. John’s University, after which he earned two Master’s degrees, an Advanced Certificate of Study, and a Doctorate degree from Nova Southeastern University.
A career followed in elementary, secondary, college-level and post-graduate teaching and administration that allowed him to do his stated goal in life: to reach out to students. He respected, enjoyed, laughed with, sometimes suspended, and truly loved them.
From 1970 to 1975 in Pine Bush, NY, he served as Crispell Middle School Principal with Asst. Principal Ron Michalak; from 1975 to 1982 he began as High School Principal in The James I. O’Neil High School in Highland Falls, NY. During those years, he taught night classes at William Paterson University, NJ, Orange County Community College, and Mount Saint Mary College. Upon his retirement he eventually joined Joanne Hughes in her corporate speaking and seminar business, tripling it and working with companies like GE, Pitney Bowes, International Nickel and, most proudly, at the USMA at West Point. In his later years, he began a real estate business in Cornwall.
Earlier in 1991, Dr. Hughes and Mrs. Hughes dropped out of their busy lives and lived and worked with the Archdiocese of New York Catholic Parish Mission Team, witnessing their love of God for a year and visiting parishes throughout the huge New York area. It was the most meaningful and spiritual time of their lives. They were former parishioners at St. Paul’s in Bullville, NY, St. Thomas of Canterbury in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY and St. Philip’s Parish, Norwalk, CT.
While his students were of enormous importance to him he loved best his own four children: Elizabeth Hughes Broncati (Anthony) Norwalk, CT, Jennifer Hughes Kern (Steve) Seattle, WA, Edward “Ted” Hughes (Alicia) Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY, and Allison Hughes Stanton (Dwayne.) Jacksonville, FL and their ten children: Steven Hughes, Emily Kern, Christian Hughes, Michael Broncati, DJ Stanton, Reilly Stanton, Jane Kern, David Broncati, Meghan Hughes, and Kevin Hughes. He is survived by his sister, Rita Schwartz, and her children: Brian Schwartz (Mary Anne), Tara Schwartz and Terrence Schwartz (Lisa).
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 23rd at Quigley Bros. Funeral Home at 337 Hudson St., Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial said by Rev. Msgr. John Budwick, former Pastor of St. Patrick’s, Newburgh, will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 24th at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 340 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson. Burial with Military Honors will follow the Mass at St. Thomas Cemetery, Cornwall, NY.
Donations may be made in memory of Dr. Hughes to the college scholarship fund established on his behalf and sent to “CFOS -- Edward FX Hughes Scholarship Fund,” in care of the Community Foundation of Orange and Sullivan, 30 Scott’s Corners Drive, Suite 203 Montgomery, NY 12549.
Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley Bros. Funeral Home; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com
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