On Tuesday, March 7, Francis (Frank) Joseph McHugh, a loving friend, father, and husband, was called home to his heavenly father. He was eighty-one years old. Frank was born on February 2, 1942 in Medford, Massachusetts to Francis and Ruth McHugh. After graduating from Arlington High School, Frank went on to graduate from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science. In 1963, Frank was commissioned as an officer after completing his ROTC training as a college student and went on to serve in the United States Air Force for 12 years active duty and reserve, serving before honorably separating from service in 1969. During his service, Captain McHugh was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Era Services Medal.
Following a long-distance courtship, Frank married his sweetheart Barbara on July 17, 1965. They enjoyed forty-four years of marriage together until her passing in 2009. During this time, they lovingly raised their three children (Anne, John, and Joan) in the beautiful states of Wisconsin, Colorado, Massachusetts, Utah, and Texas. In 1976, Frank went on to earn his Master of Science in Mass Communications from the University of Utah while his children were still very young. Frank thoroughly enjoyed talking to people and had a sharp and curious mind with a fun sense of humor. These skills served him well as he enjoyed a highly successful sales career following his separation from the Air Force. Frank retired from sales in 2009, and he continued his love of travel and adventure. He has traveled to all fifty USA states and to many countries of the world, making friends wherever he traveled. Filled with a zest for life, Frank’s generous spirit found love again, and he married his best friend Helen O’Brien in 2013. The two enjoyed ten special years together before his passing.
Frank loved the Lord and lived his faith by example. His sharp mind and love of humankind has blessed so many people. Frank taught himself to garden, eventually becoming a Master Gardener after retirement. He enjoyed camping and fishing, but his true love was snow skiing, enjoying this sport well into his late seventies. Frank enjoyed foreign languages, teaching himself fluent conversational Spanish. Frank was a life-long learner and an avid reader. Frank spent many hours volunteering his time at the Montgomery County Garden Center as well as at his beloved church, Sacred Heart Conroe. Frank loved his many friends in the Knights of Columbus, serving his community and church in many capacities as a Fourth Degree Knight.
Frank’s greatest treasure were his faith and his family, and he loved them fiercely. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Ruth McHugh, his two younger sisters, Geraldine and Kathleen, and his wife Barbara. Frank is survived by his older sister, Marilyn Kiley of Arlington, Massachusetts, and his loving wife, Helen McHugh of Willis, Texas and her nephew Henry Wycislo and his wife Nicole. He is also survived by his children Anne Bradfield and husband Tim of College Station, John McHugh and wife Marcy of Gilmer, and Joan Osth and husband Johan of North Zulch. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren who will truly miss their Grampie: Sarah, Noah, Hans, Sadie, Joy, Timo, Sally, Ana, and Samuel.
A Funeral Mass for Frank will be held March 22, 2023 at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 109 Frazier Street in Conroe, Texas. His interment will be held at 1:00 pm at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive. Visitation will be held the night before on March 21, 2023 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road in Conroe, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent DePaul Society (www.shconroe.org). Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cashnerconroe.com for the McHugh family.
