John D. Hughes

   John David Hughes (79) of Pawcatuck, CT went to be with the Lord on June 1, 2021. John was born to John Dwight Hughes and Nanny Malinda Jones Hughes of Detroit, Michigan, in 1942. John earned a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University and a Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin. He played trombone for the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers Circus, and the United States Coast Guard Band. In the 1980s and early ’90s, John was part-owner of the Cornerstone Bookstore on Bridge Street in Groton. He also earned an Associate’s degree in electronics from Thames Valley Technical College and worked professionally as a Computer-aided Design Technician. John was employed by Centerbrook Architects in that capacity until his retirement.

   John attended Quaker Hill Baptist Church in Waterford and First Baptist Church in Hope Valley, where he was a member of the Diaconate and Missions Board. He volunteered as a trombonist for many church functions in the area. John served on the governing board for Helping Haiti’s Orphans and acted as a local organizer for Operation Christmas Child. John was also a supporter of the Scouts, BSA. He served as a committee member for Boy Scout Troop 31 in Quaker Hill and was a committee member of Cub Scout Pack 39 in Quaker Hill at the time of his passing. An avid cyclist, John crossed several states by bicycle, including Nebraska as part of the “Bike Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN)”, Iowa, and New York State on the Erie Canal Trail.

   He is survived by his former wife, Charlene Patrick, and their daughter Christine (Mike) Wilson. John was also preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Faye Carty Hughes, but is survived by their children Laura (David) Berol and Matthew (Renée) Hughes. Additionally John is survived by his current wife, Kathleen Kenyon Hughes, and her children Randy (JoAnne) Miller and Tamatha Miller. He will be missed by his grandchildren Lauren, Nathaniel, Benjamin, Mark and John Robert. John is also survived by his sister, Anna Dismukes and many nieces and nephews.

   In lieu of flowers, you are invited to consider donating to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852; the First Hopkinton Seventh Day Baptist Church, 8 Church Street, Ashaway, RI 02804; and Hartford HealthCare at Home Center for Hospice Care, 227 Dunham Street, Norwich, CT 06360-6133.

   You are invited to attend a Memorial Service in John’s honor at the First Hopkinton Seventh Day Baptist Church on June 12 at 2 PM followed by a reception at the Parish House adjacent to the church.

For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com