Hugh Mark McHugh Sr.

Hugh "Hugo" McHugh, formerly of New Bern, NC, aged 86, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, in Ormond Beach, Florida. Born on August 23, 1939, in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, Hugh was the third of nine brothers, named after his father and had six sisters in a large Irish Catholic family. He was a well known athlete who played Gaelic football for Galway alongside his late brother, Padraic. He also played at Gaelic park in the Bronx.

Hugh arrived in NYC at the age of 19. He served as a Captain in the Army at Fort Dix in charge of 780 men and also served in the National Guard. He loved this country and was so honored to be an American citizen. Hugh worked at First National Bank for a short while and there he met a customer, Maura, who would change his life entirely. He said it was "love at first sight". They were engaged after only three weeks of dating and got married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Floral Park, Long Island, NY.

His work life was spent building construction companies and managing multi-million projects in NYC. He worked for StructureTone for many decades and enjoyed the work immensely, always offering jobs when he could to those who needed employment.

Hugh was predeceased by his beloved wife, Maura. Together with Maura, he raised seven children: Hughie, Sean (& Setsuko), Noreen (and Rick) Albright, Brian, Rory, Marybeth, and Michael (and Meghan). More recently, Hugh inspired many with his marriage to the late Ellie Neumeister-McHugh, showing you can find love in any season of life. They were married at the lovely St. Pauls Church in New Bern, NC.

He traveled often to spend some time with his eleven grandchildren: Bobby (Backofen), Kyle (Kelley), Brian Anthony (Tennessee), Mitose and Seamus (McHugh), Kevin and Maegan (Albright), Danny, Keiran, Rory, and the newest addition to the family, Griffin. Many summers were spent at Four Green Fields in the Catskills of New York. He served there as President of the community for a couple of years and also enjoyed fun activities such as Irish dances, football games, the high jump, clay pigeon shooting (he was a good shot) and playing golf. He was always winning the longest drive.

Hugh is survived by several siblings who held a special place in his heart: Marie Halpin of Ormond Beach; Marguerite Urban (Bill) of Sarasota; Catherine Cassata (Rick) of Park Ridge, NJ; Pauline (Tuam, Ireland) and Dolores Mansfield (John) and Deirdre Blaikie(Bill) of London, England. His brothers: Sean McHugh of Sommerville, MA and Gerry (Maureen) McHugh of NYC. He was predeceased by his brothers PJ, Tommy, Padriac, Harry, Thomas and Donal

Hugh’s life was one filled with strong faith in Jesus Christ. He was dedicated to his wife and children and was known for his work ethic, supporting others in employment, marriage and whatever life threw at us. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn him.

Details regarding his memorial mass and burial are to follow. They will be happening in the beginning of July in Kerhonkson, NY.

A service for friends in New Bern, NC, will be announced later, it is expected to be at the end of June.