Paul Patrick Hughes

Born on May 27th 1958 at Mercy Hospital in San Diego to Roy and Claire Hughes, He married Irene Magallanez in Las Cruces on August 30 1997.

Surviving him are his wife Irene, father Roy, brothers Michael (Lou Ann) of Pasco, Kevin (Pisey) of Colorado Springs, Daniel (Angela) of Fairbanks, nephews: Nicolas Montes, Carlos Montes, Cameron Hughes, Daniel Magallanes nieces: Angelina Montes, Sophie Magallanez, Audrey Hughes, Jasmine Hughes, Evora Magallanez, Aurelia Magallanez, Natalia Magallanes, Raquel Magallanes, Araceli Magallanes brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Eduardo Magallanez of San Antonio, Sal Magallanez of San Diego, Anna Magallanez of Arvada, Marcos Montes (Gisella) of Fairfax, Daniel Magallanes (Marissa) of Chandler, Antonio Magallanez (Malissa) of San Jose.

He was preceeded in death by his mother Claire Hughes, Uncles: Elmer, George, Jack, Aunts: Ruth, Martha, In-Laws: Salvador & Maria Magallanez, sister-in-law: Carolina Montes, and brother-In-Law: Felipe Magallanez.

Born in Ocean Beach, moving to Overlook Heights, he spent the majority of his youth in North Park where he attended St. Patricks Elementary School and graduated from St. Augustine High School.

Growing up, he was a St. Patrick’s Parish Alterboy and San Diego Union Paperboy for many years.

After high school, he worked as a custodian for the San Diego Unified School District while attending San Diego State University.

As an undergraduate, he spent a year of foreign study at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid where he developed a life long passion for Spain. He graduated from SDSU with a degree in Spanish. He went on to New Mexico State University, Las Cruces where he graduated with an MBA. He worked in the technology industry as a technical writer and software quality assurance and test analyst until his retirement from Intel Corporation.

He was active at NMSU’s Catholic Newman Center where he met Irene who would later become his wife. They each had a strong devotion to their Catholic faith and to their family. Warm, loving and generous he was accepted into Irene’s close-knit extended family.

He and Irene lived in Albuquerque where they were nearby enough to spend lots of time with Irene’s parents and family, and help her parents through the end of their lives. Five years ago they moved to San Diego to be nearby and help his parents.

He was blessed with a detailed memory and enjoyed learning. Almost as soon as he learned to read, he would read the encyclopedias cover-to-cover. All his life he could recall trivia, facts, and family memories that others had long forgotten. His quick wit and intellect endeared him to his family and friends.

He enjoyed traveling and would spend hours researching and putting together detailed travel plans which included many activities well off the beaten path. He shared his love of travel with Irene and they traveled extensively, often taking parents, siblings, or nieces with them. He loved taking pictures of “Irene in cool places”. He shared his travel expertise helping family and friends with their travel plans and arrangements.

He loved meeting new people and talking with anyone he met. He treasured friendships, keeping in touch with many people from both his recent and distant past. An active Facebook user, he enjoyed reconnecting with long lost friends, and helped to organize recent reunions of his Spain and elementary school classmates.

He curated the family pictures, routinely posting old pictures on Facebook and creating photo collage posters and placemats for everyone to enjoy.

His interests were wide and varied including history, old vehicles, vintage apples & figs. He always had more projects than time; finding and refinishing old furniture, landscaping his yard, vintage apples, growing and propagating plants, remodeling and tile work. He enjoyed finding some new use for a discarded item he ran across, like creating table legs from the wood frame of an old sofa.

He LOVED life, was generous and loving, and spent his life helping others. As an organ donor, he wanted to continue helping others beyond his lifetime. He lives on in three transplant recipients.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Casa de Peregrinos, Las Cruces NM (casadeperegrinos.org), International Relief Teams, San Diego, CA (irteams.org), or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.goodbodymortuary.com.