Carroll J. Hughes Sr.

Carroll Joseph Hughes, of Old Saybrook, CT, Block Island and Newport, RI, beloved husband of Jean Cronin for 30 years, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2021 with his family by his side after a valiant and private three-year battle with leukemia. Proudly born in Bridgeport, CT on March 24, 1942, he was the Aries son and middle child of the late John and Elizabeth Hughes, and grew up on Booth Street in his hometown of Stratford.

Continuing his Bridgeport connection, Carroll received his bachelors and Master’s degrees from the University of Bridgeport, then began his career in local government working as the assistant to the Mayor of Milford, Alan Jepson, later moving to Hartford where he worked in the office of Mayor Ann Uccello and Manager Eli Freedman. After his municipal service, Carroll moved on in 1972 to become the Assistant Commissioner in the newly-created Department of Environmental Protection under its first Commissioner Dan Lufkin during the Meskill Administration. He remained there until January, 1974 when he left to open his own business, which became the first independent lobbying firm in Connecticut.

He was the President for 47 years of what came to be known as Hughes & Cronin Public Affairs Strategies, a lobbying and association management firm. He was joined in 1986 by his business partner and wife, Jean Cronin and in 2017 by his youngest son Sean, as well as a host of loyal staff members throughout the years. Over the past four decades, the business has represented several hundred local and national clients before the legislature, state and municipal agencies, and many of these clients are still with the firm today.

Carroll was a pioneer in the lobbying industry and a driving force at the Capitol who was revered by lawmakers, state officials, staff and lobbyists alike. He served as a mentor and role model for many who admired his professionalism and ability to connect with people of all backgrounds. Carroll prided himself in meeting every single legislator during his 47 years at the Capitol and as a result he met thousands of legislators over the years, and had an uncanny ability to remember their names and backgrounds. He also loved meeting the staff and other people who gravitated to the Capitol. He thought this was the most fun part of his job, as he met interesting people he called “characters of life” who brought unique perspectives to his world.

Carroll was a skilled testifier who loved speaking at legislative public hearings on behalf of his clients and he was also a brilliant strategist who could craft and execute a winning legislative plan despite insurmountable odds. He had a tireless commitment to his clients and was well known for his early morning and weekend calls. The research, planning and deliberate execution he did for each issue and each client has been instilled in Jean, Sean and all of his staff.

Caroll spent many happy summer days with Jean on the beaches of Block Island, having afternoon cocktails at the Spring House and dancing dinners at Aldo’s. He was an avid sailor and “clammer.” He enjoyed entertaining family and friends at his BI home and was well known for his culinary creations, especially the infamous pasta salads.

He reveled in his Irish heritage and was most proud of his induction into the Newport Ancient Order of the Hibernians. He loved sitting at the Hibernian Hall bar, regaling his fellow “Brothers” with his latest stories and jokes, while drinking his beloved Jameson’s proclaiming “the brothers need the work.” His favorite holiday was St. Patrick’s Day and he had many good memories of the Newport parades, as well cherished memories of his many trips to Ireland. He was also a HUGE fan and friend of the Wolfetones, having arranged and attended several concerts for them in Connecticut and Newport, and even traveled to Ireland to see them.

Carroll was a voracious reader and was known for passing good books along to family and friends. He was an incredible history buff who traveled extensively and enjoyed planning epic trips with Jean and Sean, especially to the historic sites of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the Civil War Battlefields. While he drove along his carefully mapped route, he would have Jean read the highlighted facts and tidbits in the multiple travel books he used to research the trip, giving Sean a full blown history lesson in the back seat.

Carroll was a diehard Red Sox fan who rarely missed watching a game, regardless of the status of their season. One of his favorite birthday gifts from Jean was a “behind-the-scenes” tour of Fenway Park, complete with a visit to the press box, dugout, players’ lounge and trip inside the Green Monster, after proudly posing with the World Series trophies and meeting Jackie Bradley, Jr. This was the ultimate absolution for a long time Red Sox fan.

Carroll was a proud and dedicated father and in addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving children, Carroll Jr. (CJ) and wife Misty of Hudson, NY and Christopher and partner Valerie DeLuca of New York City, his son Josh and wife Susanna of West Hartford, his loving daughter Jessica Karnes and husband Michael of Nashville, TN and youngest son Sean, a principal with Hughes & Cronin, and his fiancé Alyssa Pereira of Waterford. He leaves his grandchildren Astrid, Sander, Oliver and Benjamin Hughes and Harrison Karnes, his in-laws James and Virginia Cronin of Avon, CT, his sister Donna Schreiber and husband Charlie of Plano, TX, his sister-in laws Anne Cronin and husband Mark Bussell of New York City, Pat Cronin of East Lyme and Margaret Hayes and husband Stephen of Avon, CT and his brother in-laws Richard Myers of St. Petersburg, FL, Michael Cronin of Avon, Stephen Cronin of West Hartford, Rev. Joseph Cronin of Southington and James Cronin and wife Noreen of Fairfield. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his brother Jack and his brother-in-law Fishel Liberman.

Finally, the family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Haldas, Heidi and the tremendous nurses and staff at the Smilow Cancer Hospital Care Center at Waterford for their wonderful treatment, care and compassion for Carroll over these past few years. We are grateful for your efforts, which helped to strengthen his body to match his amazing will and provide him with more precious time to be with family and friends.

Carroll loved Irish sayings and the wisdom they imparted. “May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you’ve gone too far.” Slan dear Carroll, till we meet again.

Friends may call on Monday, November 8, 2021 from 4-8 p.m. at the Swan Funeral Home, 1224 Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook. A Christian Mass to celebrate Carroll’s life will be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Church, 161 Main Street, Old Saybrook, followed by his burial at Riverside Cemetery in Old Saybrook. Mourners are asked to go directly to the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Carroll’s name to one of his favorite charities: The Hundred Club of Connecticut, P.O. Box 419, Glastonbury, CT 06033; The Block Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Block Island, RI. 02807; or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Connecticut, 3 Landmark Square, Stamford, CT 06901. To leave online condolences, please visit www.swanfuneralhomeoldsaybrook.com