Thomas Patrick McHugh

Dr. Thomas P. McHugh, DDS passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on April 6, 2022 in Athens GA. Tom and his wife, Emily, resided in Athens GA for 26 years. Tom was born in 1929 in Brooklyn NY. He attended Bishop Loughlin HS where he served as a class officer and was an outstanding track athlete. He was a member of the 1947 National Champion 1-mile relay team at the Penn Relays. Due to his athletic ability and scholastic performance he was awarded a scholarship to St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY. Upon completion of his degree he studied at NYU College of Dentistry and earned his DDS degree. He served as a Captain in the US Army Dental Corps at Fort Dix in NJ. Upon leaving the Army, Tom built his dental practice in Brooklyn. Later he was an independent contractor at a dental practice in Ticonderoga NY, and eventually began a new private practice in Chestertown NY. Throughout his dental career he also served as a clinical oral surgery instructor on staff at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn and a Dental Advisor at Moses Ludington Hospital in Ticonderoga. He served on the school board and was president of the North Warren County Board of Education in Warren County, NY. After retiring he and Emily moved to Athens, GA.

While in high school in Brooklyn, he met Emily, the love of his life. Together there they began raising 9 children before moving to Ticonderoga NY and then to Chestertown NY. They fostered values and a love for family that continues to manifest in their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren today. They did everything to provide opportunities for their family.

Despite growing up in Brooklyn, Tom loved the mountains. His favorite childhood memories were of visits to the home of his grandfather, Clarence O'Brien, in East Jewett, NY, in the Catskill Mountains. He shared this love of the country with his children through vacations at our camp in the Adirondack Mountains of NY. We all remember the 5 hour drives from Brooklyn to the hamlet of Adirondack - 2 parents, 9 children, a grandparent, several pets and luggage crammed into a station wagon or van!

Tom was loved by all. He was a friend to everyone that he met - proving one of his life philosophies that “Every human being is a potential friend”. He was also a practical joker and a spinner of tall tales… you never knew how much of his stories were true, and he loved to keep you guessing.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Emily Zimmerman McHugh; a brother Peter (and Doris) McHugh of Hernando FL; sister-in-law Mary Ann McHugh of Riverdale NJ; 8 children and their spouses: Thomas McHugh and Kathleen Longe of Alburgh VT, Emilyanne and Roger Willard of Essex Junction VT, Bernadette and Dr. Mark Jones of Hiram ME, Loretta and George LaPointe, Jr. of South Glens Falls NY, Claire and Daniel Sullivan of Durham NC, Dr. Joseph and Roxanne McHugh of Athens GA, COL(R) Peter and Jennifer McHugh of Murfreesboro TN, and Patrick and Heidi McHugh of Colchester VT; 23 grandchildren: Elizabeth Dall, Molly McHugh, Mark Longe, Thomas Willard, Emily P Willard, Steven Wolk, Ian Jones, Lincoln Jones, George LaPointe IV, James LaPointe, Loretta LaPointe, Jeannette LaPointe, Peter LaPointe, Daniel Sullivan, Margaret Sullivan, Bridget Sullivan, Terrence McHugh, Treasa McHugh, Matthew McHugh, Megan McHugh, Patrick D McHugh, Thomas McHugh, Christopher McHugh; and 14 great grandchildren: Jackson Dall, Juliette Dall, Gabrielle McHugh, Hunter Jarvis, Noah Longe, Karisa Longe, Thomas Willard, Anne Willard, Katie Willard, Kayleigh Willard, Andrew Wolk, Bella Wolk, Theo Jones, and Liam Kosby. He was predeceased by his parents Thomas M McHugh and Kathleen D O’Brien, brothers Patrick McHugh and Joseph McHugh, sister Mary Riese, and son James McHugh.

There will be no visiting hours or services at this time; a celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name may be made to the Don Metz Scholarship Fund (Saint Francis College, Office of Advancement, 133 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201).

We love him and miss him.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, Athens is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com.