FRANCIS P. HUGHES, 83, Of Oakland Township, passed away Sunday, September 12, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 30, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan to Paul C. and Mary Helen (O'Mara) Hughes. He graduated from Cathedral Central High School in
1956, Francis joined the U.S. Army in 1957 and became a member of the renowned 82nd Airborne Division where he became a paratrooper. He was an expert artilleryman and range computer with the 1st Airborne Battle Group of the 187th Regiment, 24th Infantry Division,and the first group along with U.S. Marines flown to the the 1958 Middle East and Lebanon Crisis in a combat operation. Following his service in the Army, he transferred to Michigan National Guard. He was a graduate of the U.S. Army Candidate School (OCS) in Fort Benning, GA, and qualified for the U.S. Army Ranger School.
Francis graduated from Wayne State University in 1964 and then The Detroit College of Law in 1967. Following graduation, he joined the law firm of Ellis Van Hoesen of Detroit. In 1971, he joined the Rochester Law firm of Bebout, Potere, Cox & Potere as an associate attorney. In 1973, he became a partner in the firm that was then named Bebout, Potere, Cox, & Hughes. He was a trial attorney who specialized in personal injury and real estate. He also was a guest lecturer at a number of local hospitals, service clubs, colleges and high schools as well as a contributor to various legal publications. As one who understood the value of serving the community, Francis was a member of Rochester Kiwanis Club, Rochester Community Foundation, Rochester Chamber of Commerce, The American and Michigan Trial Lawyers Associations as well as the Bar Associations of Oakland County, Macomb County and Rochester. He was a member of VFW Post 334 in Oxford and the Michigan Bar Association. On retirement he was a member of the Knights of Columbus at his winter home in Daphne, Alabama.
Francis was an avid sailor and boating enthusiast on the Great Lakes and the Intercoastal Waterways. He was known for a great sense of humor. He shared that legacy with his family, and derived his greatest pleasure spending time with friends and relatives. He will be greatly missed.
Francis is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Marlene; dear children Erin Joseph, Barbara Kay and John Paul; beloved grandchildren Gavin, Samuel, Hailey, Aidan, Owen, Bradley and Matthew; dear brother of Patrick, and sisters Julianna and Paula. In addition to his parents, Francis was preceded in death by a son, Paul Steven Hughes and a sister, Margaret Mary Hughes, IHM.
An "Irish Wake" will be held at the family residence on Saturday, September 25, in the afternoon. Please contact the family for additional information. Memorials may be made to Leader Dogs for the Blind or Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 334 .
