John F McHugh

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Longtime Great Kills resident John McHugh Sr., 89, a retired telephone company foreman and a loving family man, died Sunday in Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, where he had resided since June.

Born in Brooklyn, he graduated from Manual Training High School there. He settled in Great Kills in 1967.

Mr. McHugh served in the U.S. Army during World War II. A sergeant in the 132nd Infantry, he saw duty in the South Pacific. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post

He worked for New York Telephone Co. for 34 years, retiring as a splicing foreman in 1985.

Mr. McHugh was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic War Veterans.

An avid golfer, he especially enjoyed golf trips to Myrtle Beach, S.C., with his friends. He also enjoyed bowling, fishing and playing softball.

He could fix anything with black electrical tape and scissors, his family said, and was affectionately known as "Grandpa Tools."

Mr. McHugh was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, the former Elvira (Vera) LaQuinta; his sons, John Jr. and Michael; his daughters, Janet Maccario and Ann Huebler; his brother, Daniel; eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, Great Kills, with a mass at 9:45 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Arrangements include cremation.