Memories of Keith “Pugs” McHugh
I met Pugs on September 1, 1970 when I kicked him in the mouth. We were playing high school football and on the first day of two-a-day practices for the upcoming season I accidently kicked him in the mouth. During a water break I asked if he was OK and we became fast friends.
I never called him anything but Pugs. In Jersey in the 70s, nicknames were common. On our team we had Pugs, Boze, Julius, and Gomer to name a few. 
Pugs became like another member of my family and I, along with my brother Mark, was always welcomed into the McHugh home. He would visit my parents when I wasn’t home and became friends with my entire family.
Pugs and I did almost everything together. We played 2 seasons of football at Paramus Catholic. We both got a summer job at a Goodyear Service Center. We once played polo on a college quad using a Volkswagen instead of a horse. We famously visited, uninvited, the home of a New York Yankees pitcher who later was enshrined in the Baseball HOF. We had some legendary trips to Florida. We also banged up a car or two but never caused any injuries.  
We got in a couple tussles but were never the instigators. When fists flew, I knew Pugs would watch my back and I his. And together we never lost.
After High School, Pugs earned a position at the Merchant Marine Academy which he attended with my brother, Mark. I eventually found my way to West Point. His service in support of commercial shipping and mine in the Army took us in opposite directions around the world. The last time we were together for any duration was in September 1984.
I was deeply saddened to hear about Pugs’ passing. He was a great and loyal friend with a bighearted personality. Although we had not seen each other in years, he was frequently in my thoughts. I could not even guess at how many times I or other family members started a conversation with “Remember when Pugs . . .” 
Greg Bozek
Pooler/Savannah, Georgia

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Keith Francis McHugh

February 15, 1955 – July 18, 2026

Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home & Rosewood Memorial Park

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