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JAMES HUGHES Obituary
A neurosurgeon, died on March 17, 2017 in Cresskill, NJ. He was 80 years old. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, on July 9, 1936, the son of Anne Opie Hughes and Dr. Joseph Hughes, a psychiatrist in Philadelphia. He grew up in Haverford, PA with two sisters, Lynne and Sally, and five brothers, Joe, Bill, John, Tom and David. Dr. Hughes was a proud graduate and enthusiastic alumnus of The Haverford School, Yale University, and the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. After beginning his training as a psychiatrist and serving as a staff psychiatrist in the United States Navy, Dr. Hughes switched his specialty to neurosurgery, completing his residency at Columbia-Pres- byterian Medical Center in 1971. For the next 27 years, he was an attending neurosurgeon at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Medical Center and Harlem Hospital Center in New York City, serving as chief of neurosurgery at both hospitals. He was a longtime clinical faculty member at Columbia University and co-authored peer-reviewed articles in numerous publications including JAMA, Science, and Neurosurgery. In 1980, Leonard Nimoy portrayed Dr. Hughes in the television movie "Seizure," which was based on the 1978 book of the same name written by Charles Mee. A longtime resident of Tenafly, NJ, Dr. Hughes is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Janet Lockhart Hughes of Cresskill, NJ, and his three children, Sandra Conklin (E. Foster) of Norwood, NJ; Anne Hughes (Sean Jeffery) of Dumont, NJ; and Jim Hughes (Malinda) of Ellicott City, MD. Gregarious and adventuresome, he traveled with family and friends to six continents and he led a dozen backwoods canoe trips on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway in Maine. He was a wonderful expedition-leader and story-teller to his five grandchildren, Brian Vargas, Caroline Hughes, Andrea Hughes, Foster Conklin, and Janet Conklin. All who knew him deeply miss his boundless energy and joy. A memorial service will be held at The Presbyterian Church at Tenafly, 55 Magnolia Avenue, Tenafly, NJ at 11am on Saturday, April 8. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Anne Opie Hughes Scholarship Endowment Fund at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (http://nursing.umaryland edu/hughesscholarship) or to Doctors Without Borders (www.doctorswithout borders.org). Services were handled by Barrett Funeral Home, Tenafly.
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Memories and Condolences
for JAMES HUGHES
Sponsored by His Loving Family.
Peter B. Bloom, MD
March 27, 2021
As Medical school classmate U. of Penn, I remember him warmly - graduated 1962. He had the ability to reach out across disciplines though we shared an interest in psychiatry. This is a nice thing to do.
Valerie Jenkins
March 19, 2020
I write the 3 yrs after Dr Hughs passing. I was both a patient and colleague of Dr Hughs at Roosevelt Hospital. Just finding out now of his passing brings great sadness. Dr Hughs was an amazing doctor. I will always remember his great compassion to his patients and a brilliant physician. RIP ...
Binu Kuriakose
September 30, 2019
I am so sorry to write a year later that I find your news. Dr. Hughes, You left such an unforgettable impression as a Neurosurgeon while working at Harlem Hospital that I seriously considered medical school. You are my hero and yes, I still take your message to heart. I may never be such a legend like you but thank you so much for having faith in me. May God Bless Your Family!
Barbara Barlow
March 27, 2019
I will never forget Dr. Hughes. He was a hero among men.
Alaska 2014
Andrea Hughes
February 19, 2019
Stephanie Trent
April 14, 2017
Dr. Hughes hired me 16 years ago to be the administrative coordinator for the Neuro-surgery service at Harlem Hospital. On the day of my interview, he brought me to a conference where he and the Neurologists discussed cases presented by residents. I sat in the dark looking at the images on the screen and listened to the discussions and fell in love! He loved his job and his enthusiasm for it taught me how to love mine too. Thank you Dr. Hughes for taking a chance and giving me the opportunity to work with you. Your spirit lives on with your family and the people you touched along the way. My condolences to the whole family.
R.Linsy Farris
April 7, 2017
Jim and I were so joyous in sharing our memories of Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH) were we served our internships. I share in your loss and will miss his fresh smile.
R. Linsy Farris, M.D.
Diane Mahon
April 7, 2017
I always adored Uncle Jim, and am so saddened that his adventure has come to a close. His enthusiasm was endless and contagious, and he had that special gift of making you feel like you were the most interesting person he'd ever talked to. I treasure and adore my memories of Uncle Jim ..... a special and vivacious light in this world has gone out.
Stephen Hertel
April 7, 2017
Uncle Jim was one of a kind - one of the most fun and interesting people I've known in my life. I'll forever remember his fabulous story-telling and warmth. He and his zest for life are already sorely missed. My sympathies to the entire Hughes family.
Maureen Helbig
April 6, 2017
I am so saddened to hear of Jim's passing
He was always so kind and engaging.
My sincere sympathy to Janet and his family.
Maureen Helbig
Barbara Barlow MD
April 5, 2017
Dr. Hughes was a wonderful man and an amazing neurosurgeon at Harlem. I worked with him starting in 1975 and so respected him as a person as a physician and surgeon. He saved so many lives, both children and adults. He was always available night and day to come help us with the large amount of traumatic injuries that we saw.
Bless him. Sympathy to the family.
Andre and I will always remember his contributions to the medical care of the least of these.
Barbara Barlow MD
Professor and Retired Director of Surgery
Columbia University at Harlem Hospital
Harlem Hospital Center
April 4, 2017
Dear Mrs. Hughes and Family,
Sharon and I are so sadden to get the news Dr. Hughes's passing. I felt we were kindred spirits when working around your house and will truly miss him. I will carry fond memories of his story telling and love of woodworking. God Bless you and your family in this difficult time.
Most Sincerely,
Jim Golodik
shirley mcronald
April 3, 2017
Janet so sorry to read about Jim in the NYT and that we have not been in touch for quite awhile.We have fond memories of our years in Tenafly and getting together with you both.Joel and I are hanging in there. Getting older does come with its challenges.Our very best to you.
Peter Bloom
April 3, 2017
As a medical school classmate, I enjoyed every contact I had with Jim. He was very smart and just fun to be with during those formative years. Marcia and I will miss him greatly.
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