John F. McHugh Sr.

Born in Watertown, MA to Irish immigrants Catherine and Martin McHugh, he was a proud American, who loved his Irish heritage. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school and was a proud Marine until his last breath. Following his service in the Corps, he went on to study at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, where he met lifelong friends. Following graduation, John earned his Master of Education from Boston College, then settled on Cape Cod for 59 years with the love of his life Ellen Hurley McHugh.

He lived a life of service and made his career at Bourne High School as a guidance counselor and later as Director of Guidance, a vocation he was incredibly grateful for. Upon retirement, John devoted his time to volunteering with St. Vincent de Paul, where he counseled those experiencing addiction or homelessness for whom he felt tremendous compassion. In his quiet, kind way, he drew all people to him, including and especially his Newfield House caregivers, who adored him until the end.

A devout Catholic, John relied on his faith and his family was the center of his world. There was no greater joy for him than being a proud ‘Papa’ to his grandchildren, who loved to ‘shoot the breeze’ with him, while he walked the Canal, read his daily newspapers, or tended his vegetable gardens. He imparted to them a ‘you can do anything you set your mind to’ attitude and they are his greatest legacy.

John is survived by his devoted wife Ellen of Sandwich, MA and his beloved children: John (Tina) McHugh, Jr. of Needham, MA, Mary Beth Carlisle, Tracey (Mike) Hulett, Meghan (Mike) Grimaldi, all of Duxbury, MA, and his grandchildren, who admired him so very much: Caitlyn and Sean Carlisle; Connor, Colin and Braeden Hulett; Lucy, Jack and Brendan McHugh; Catherine and Caroline Grimaldi. He is also survived by his sisters Marion Woodcock and Margaret (Michael) O’Neill as well as many loving nieces, including Debbie Sylvester, Kate (O’Neill) King, Alyson Genovese, Kaitlyn Kyle and Corinne Goelhert. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Elinor Sylvester, brother-in-law Curtis Woodcock, sister-in-law Phyllis Hurley Cafferky, and nephew Fran Sylvester. He also leaves behind many wonderful friends, who will miss their ‘Big Mac.’

He will be forever loved and forever missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, January 19, 2024 at 11AM at Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meeting House Road, East Sandwich. Visitors are invited to gather with the family prior to the mass, 9:30 - 10:30AM, at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 MA 6A, Sandwich. Burial will be held Monday January 22, 2024 at Massachusetts National Cemetery, 10am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.