Kathleen , just spoke to Vicki on Sunday so sorry to hear about John.
Sharon VanderVeen

I am sorry but I did not trust myself to try to deliver this tribute to John adequately and had asked our loving niece,  Colleen, to do me the honor.  She accepted; however, I didn't deliver on time but I still want it said so here it is.  Instead of delivering this tribute for me, Colleen gave an heartfelt tribute to "Uncle John" with her son, Jack present (6 yrs. old going on 60!  LOL).  Jack and "Unc John" were great pals.    
 
John was the answer to a teenager's prayer - I prayed for a husband who already had his military service completed so we would not have the pain of separation, and for someone who was not overly fond of drinking liquor.  When filling out his medical forms - yes I did that for him always - I always commented that 'yes he did drink alcohol - "ONE GUINNESS A YEAR!  MAYBE"  He was my 'designated driver' so I could enjoy a glass of wine or two when we were out socializing!!! 
 
John was my true soul mate.  He not only entertained and educated me but did so for everyone he met.  A predominant theme runs throughout the mail I have received from my contemporaries and my younger associates who knew and loved John or Uncle John,  and that is they learned so much from him, and his sense of humor and his joy for life was infectious.  He would enter Dr. Alemar's (Oncologist) office and in due course waltz around the waiting room singing and dancing with Nurse Chrystal in his arms.  The staff used to applaud and wonder aloud why he couldn't work there with them all the time!  He shared with everyone who would listen (whether they wanted to or not), the voluminous information he gleaned from his research.  He worked long and hard trying to beat his Cancer - he took 'ownership' and that made all the difference in these past ten plus years.  He never lost his 'joie de vivre'  - joy for living - and was always planning for next month, next year...  He had dreams.
 
He was true to his family - siblings - Philomena, Pat and Sadie.  He promised his dying father that he would keep them together.  He was just about 17 or 18 years old and kept his word to his Dad.  He emigrated at 21 to the U.S. as he told me he felt they all would have better opportunities here.  Within a short time they were all here in the U.S. with him.  Uncle Sam had designs on him, though,  and had him by the collar shortly after!  Off to Stuttgart, Germany for 2 years in the army working in the Post Office handling very sensitive mail from Bethesda, Md. but NOT qualified to work in the U.S. Post Office upon completion of service in the U.S. Army - seems he needed his Citizenship for which he would not be eligible for another 2 years....  
 
We met in January 1961 and married in September the same year.  On September 30, 2011 we had the privilege of celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary. 
 
I will miss him but he more than earned his reward - Heaven -  and as his brother, Pat, said:  "It's a little nosier up there now!"   You will read elsewhere the beautiful tribute from sister, Sarah (or Sadie).  His sister, Philomena, was the mother to them since she was barely a teenager managing the house after their mother passed away.  All of them are a credit to their Mother and Father and now John's with them singing "Danny Boy."

Dear Kathy,

It is with great sadness that I write.  Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  May your heart be filled with all the wonderful memories and happy times.  My sincere condolences to you and family.


Remembering John read at service 

I know that most of the people here will remember John as the live wire, always kidding around, opinionated, liking to discuss politics and most of us remember his beautiful tenor voice.

But I would like to tell all of you about John as I remember him.   To start with – my parents died when I was very young, my mother when I was 5 years old and my father not too long after that.   My brother John was left to support the family.  He worked as a lineman for the Post Office in our home town.   He worked very hard to keep food on the table for us.  At the young age of 21 he had the opportunity to come to America.   He got a job at the New York Athletic Club in Manhattan.  He sent money home every week (without fail) in order for us to keep food on the table.  At the same time, he was putting money aside to bring my brother, my sister and I over to America.

I was the youngest but also the first to come to America.   I arrived at Idlewild Airport (it is now called Kennedy Airport).  There were customs barriers set up at the arrival area.  That was to keep the people waiting for relatives back and to avoid chaos.  As all of us passengers exited the plane, I heard an officer yelling “you can't go in there; you must remain behind the barrier”.   I looked to see what all the commotion was about, and lo and behold, it was John jumping the turn style and yelling – “my little sister is coming.    That was John; nothing was going to stop him!

On the plane I had met a young fellow coming to America for the first time too.  I noticed that there was nobody there to meet him.   I told John.  Like all of us, the boy had an address in his pocket of where he was going to live in New York.   He was completely lost.   John approached him and said we would take him in our taxi and drop him off at the address.   We did, and John made sure somebody was there to claim him. This is an example of the kindness and generosity my brother John has shown to others throughout his entire life.

That is the John I remember   -- I will miss him as long as I live!

I'm going to read a couple of stanzas of a poem very familiar to John. The poet William Butler Yeats wrote most of his poetry in Sligo, Ireland.

“The Stolen Child” by William Butler Yeats

Where the wandering water gushes
From the hills above Glen-Car,
In pools among the rushes
That scarce could bathe a star,
We seek for slumbering trout
And whispering in their ears
Give them unquiet dreams;
Leaning softly out
From ferns that drop their tears
Over the young streams.
Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand.

Away with us he's going,
The solemn-eyed:
He'll hear no more the lowing
Of the calves on the warm hillside
Or the kettle on the hob
Sing peace into his breast,
Or see the brown mice bob
Round and round the oatmeal chest.
For he comes, the human child,
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world's more full of weeping than he can understand.

This is in loving memory of my brother John. 






Hail Mary in Irish
Is é do bheatha, a Mhuire,
atá lán de ghrásta, 
tá an Tiarna leat.
Is beannaithe thú idir mná
agus is beannaithe toradh do bhrionne, Íosa. 
A Naomh-Mhuire, a Mháthair Dé,
guigh orainn na peacaigh, anois
agus ar uair ár mbáis. Amen. 



Sarah (Sadie) Mc Hugh Solo

Kathleen, My heart goes out to you.  Hopefully, he has jumped onto the Irish parade of saints recently called by Himself (John & Sally Monahan) to enter right into Heaven, no stopping at purgatory.  We'll talk soon.  Much love, Grace Ann

Dear Kathleen..Words cannot express how saddened I am by John's passing. Warm, wonderful memories flood me as I think of him... his smile, sense of humor, sparkle in his eyes, excitement in his voice when he spoke and when he sang..he had such a gift and shared it with so many.  He will surely be missed but i feel so blessed for having known him all my life and for all the good times we shared.

to pat mc hugh
sorry to hear of johns passing
may he rest in peace

Kathleen, Pat, Phil, Sadie and respective families,
You are very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time. We have very fond memories of John and hope that similar memories that you have will help you through this trying time.

Dear Kathleen,
Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear,
 just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.
Dermot & Grace Mc Hugh, Donegal Town, Ireland

Kathleen I have only known you for a few months and I admire your strength my prayers are with you.  John will be missed by all who knew him.

I am sorry that I did not know John longer but the short time I did he will be remembered.

Cousin John was a great character. Sorry to hear of his passing.

Kathleen, I am so sorry to hear of John's passing.  Please know that you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Dear Kathleen we are very saddened to hear of Johns passing. Thinking of you. Patricia and Tommy Kelly Sligo Ireland

Dear Kathleen, 

Thinking of you, with Love and Prayers.  We are so very sorry for your loss.

I was so saddened to hear of John's passing. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

sending condolence to dear Kathleen,Sara
and Phil.
Remembering John with smiles.
Mavon Ellmore

Dear Kathleen we are very sorry to hear of John's passing. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. We will always remember your visit to Killybegs and saying farewell to you at Shannon Airport. Gerry Ann Orla & Eoghan McHugh, Killybegs Co. Donegal Ireland

Deep condolences from Three Oaks, MI. John was one of my most unforgettable cousins. I´m sure he leaves a big void. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Dear Kathleen, John will be missed very much.  His wonderful sense of humor was priceless.  I will keep him in my prayers.  You will also be in my prayers, and know that we are thinking about you at this very sad time.  Betty McKee and Rex Neff.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow;I am the diamond glints on the snow.I am the sunlight that ripened grain;I am the gentle autumns's rain.When you awaken in the morning's hush,I am the swift uplifting rush,Of quiet birds in circled flight.I am the soft star that shines at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry.I am not there; I did not die. R.I.P Uncle John. Sadly missed by Ann, Sean, Conor, Eileen, Finn and Orla.

Dear Kathleen,
                       we were deeply saddened to hear of Johns passing. He was such a unique character well educated and loved to get his point accross. He was also a wonderful singer and we enjoyed his singing at my sister Wedding. Wwe will always remember John and all the happy times we had in his company. I leave with this for John. 
 when the light begins to fade and the shadows fall accross the sea
There's a dream that will not sleep, a burning hope that will not die.
I must go now -time to fly-time to touch the sky.
When I leave and take the wind to find the land that faith will bring; one bright star in the evening sky, hear the song I sing... 
And on the air, a soft goodbye. Rest in peace my friend. Love Lorraine@Con.

OBITUARY

John D. McHugh

21 March, 1935 – 21 November, 2011

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