Obituary of Robert McHugh

Robert Louis McHugh, 90, of Austin, TX, and formerly of Peabody, MA, died peacefully in his sleep Monday, July 22, 2019, at the Brookdale Senior Living Center in Clermont, FL. 

Born in Peabody, MA, where he was raised, Bob was the son of Louis F. and Blanche (Gagnon) McHugh.  He later moved to Southern California with a long career in the banking industry, retiring as a Regional Vice President with Bank of America.  He then had a second career at the Santa Anita Race Track, Arcadia, CA, as the Assistant General Manager.  When retirement truly called, he lived in Apple Valley, MN and then relocated to Austin, TX, which has been his home the last 22 years.

Bob graduated Peabody High School in 1946 and was known as “Luke” on the high school football and baseball teams.  After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corp on April 15, 1946, and was honorably discharged on December 18, 1947, as a WWII veteran.  After his time in the military, Bob worked in Miami, FL, where he met his soon-to-be wife, Jacqueline Yvonne Croteau.  They married in San Gabriel, CA, on April 24, 1954 and were married until Jackie’s death in Austin, TX, on April 20, 1999.

Bob had many interests over the years.  He was very involved in community service, beginning with The Exchange Club in the 1960’s, where he was also President of The Monrovia, CA, Exchange Club from 1964-1965.  In later years he devoted much time to his church, Emmaus Catholic Church in Lakeway, TX, and community service with The Friends of the Park, also in Lakeway, TX.  Bob kept busy with hobbies that included gardening, golfing and woodworking.

Bob remarried on March 24, 2007, to Blanche Faith of Lakeway, TX.  They were married 12 years until Bob’s passing.  They enjoyed the Austin culture, friends, socializing and dance clubs.

After a short but steady decline with dementia for the last one-and-a-half years, Bob moved to Clermont, FL, to be near his daughter, who watched over him the last six months of his life.  He died due to cerebral degeneration and arteriosclerotic vascular disease.  Overall, he lived a very healthy, active life, for which his family is very grateful.

Bob is survived by his second wife, Blanche Faith, his daughter, Michelle McHugh, his three grandsons, Tom (Katie) Burgess, Capt. Michael (Alicia) Burgess, and David (Sarah) Salviejo.  He has 7 great grandchildren, Taylor, Olivia, Delanie, Gunner, Michaela, Wyatt and Keegan.  He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, George and Mary McHugh, also born and raised in Peabody, MA, his sister-in-law Mary (Lewis) McHugh in Peabody, MA, 10 nephews and nieces, and great-nephews and nieces.  Bob is pre-deceased by his wife Jacqueline Y. McHugh (1932-1999), and his two brothers Walter J. McHugh (1931-1977) and Lewis F. McHugh (1936-2013).

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 31st, at  12 Noon in St. Ann’s Church, Peabody, MA, officiated by Rev. Charles Stanley.  Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody, MA. Expressions of sympathy may be made in his name to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).  No flowers please.  Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home of Peabody.  For guestbook and directions please visit www.ccbfuneral.com