WORCESTER - Brother John Thomas McHugh, A.A., 88, died Wednesday, August 13, 2014 in St. Francis Rehabilitation & Nursing Center after a period of declining health.
Besides his Assumptionist family, he leaves 2 sisters, Agnes Toltin of Venice, FL and Catherine Higgins of Sparkhill, NY; a brother, James McHugh and his wife Marilyn of Hewitt, NJ and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his sisters Anna Dooley and Sarah Dougherty and by his twin brother Joseph McHugh.
He was born and raised in New York City, son of Patrick and Sarah (Kilkenny) McHugh. He graduated from Textile High School there in 1945.
He entered the Assumptionist Novitiate in Hyattsville, MD on September 19, 1951, and made his first vows on March 19, 1953. He then made perpetual vows to Very Reverend Henry Moquin, A.A. in Esperanza Church, New York on March 19, 1958.
Brother John Thomas was first assigned to the Assumptionist Novitiate in Saugerties, NY from 1954 to 1957. He worked as a cook and in maintenance at Esperanza Church from 1957 to 1960 and again from 1964 to 1966. He was again a cook at Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary in Cassadaga, NY from 1960 to 1964. He then served as postmaster at the branch office at Assumption College for 3 years. After a year at Assumption Prep and a year in Brookline, he ran the printing department at Assumption College. He lived at Austin House in Worcester from 1975 to 1978, serving as treasurer there for one year. He was assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in New York City from 1992 to 1995, after which he took up residence at 50 Old English Road, moving to St. Francis Home about 5 years ago.
The funeral will be Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 AM in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Assumption College, Salisbury Street. Rev, Dennis Gallagher, A.A., will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be the Assumptionist section in Saint Anne’s Cemetery, Sturbridge. Calling hours will be from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Friday, August 15, in La Maison Francaise and again from 9:00 to 9:50 AM Saturday, August 16 at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, both at Assumption College. Donations in his name may be made to the Assumptionist Vocation Fund, 330 Market Street, Brighton, MA 02135. Arrangements are under the direction of Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, 340 School St.,Webster.