Richard L. Hughes

Pine Plains, NY - Richard L. "Dick" Hughes, 82, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at home.

He was born in Savilton, NY on July 11, 1930 the son of the Jerome A. and Edith Alice (Lowe) Hughes.

He called his parents Ma and Pop and they called him Richard when he was in trouble and Rich when he was not (which was not often).

In school he was known as "Cowboy" because he milked the cows in the morning before school.

He graduated from St. Patrick High School in Newburgh before attending North Eastern University in Massachusetts. During his college summers he worked on the construction of the New York Aqueduct.

He was employed by IBM for over thirty five years of which twenty four were in management.

Before retiring he was Fire Chief over all Dutchess County IBM Facilities. He was instrumental in the creation of that department when local fire departments could no longer support all IBM's facilities.

After moving to Stanfordville in 1971 he became a volunteer Fireman for the Stanford Fire Company. Over the years he served on several levels including Fire Chief and Fire Commissioner. He was also the "MC" for functions at the Stanford Fire Company.

Through the years he acquired the nickname "Dead Eye Dick" because of his glass eye. He loved to fix things and was always busy with his hands and was one of the original "Handymen".

He is a member of the Poughkeepsie Elk's Club.

In September of 1967 he married Bonny Lee (Beust) Craig Hughes, she survives him at home. In addition to his wife Bonny, survivors include two daughters; Debra Ann Sherman of Middletown, NY; Colleen Alice Venter of Guilford, CT; two sons, Daniel Patrick Hughes of Mohegan Lake, NY; Timothy Richard Hughes of Fishkill, NY; He is also survived by three stepchildren, Cheryl Lee Darling and Jeffrey Scott Craig both of Pine Plains, NY; and David A. Craig of Massachusetts; a brother, Robert Hughes of Houston, MN.

He is a grandfather of fourteen grandchildren: Stanley, Mark, Richard, Corrie-Beth, Caroline, Joshua, Megan, Jonathan, Jason, Christopher, Erik, James, Megan Lee, and Jacob and six great grandchildren: Ashley, Brittney, Tyler, Richard, Camryn and Emma Lynn.

Dick was predeceased by three brothers, Jerome, Paul, Walter and a sister, Elizabeth Coors.

There are no calling hours.

A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Friday, August 24, at the United Church of Christ, Route 82, Stanfordville, NY with Pastor Rhoda Starzyk, officiating.

An Irish Wake and celebration of life will follow at the Stanford Fire Co.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of Flowers memorial contributions are requested to Hospice Inc. 374 Violet Ave. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

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