Denis J. McHugh III

Time for Fun and Faith

It was with delight that Denis McHugh spent two weeks with his mother, Bernadette, in Italy four years ago. He took her to Florence and climbed to the top of Santa Maria del Fiore, the spectacular duomo, where he took in views of the city's skyline. They went to Rome and visited the Sistine Chapel, where they gazed upon the image of God and Adam touching fingertips in one of Michelangelo's most famous frescoes, "Creation of Adam."

But it was not by accident that Mr. McHugh visited some of the world's most famous Catholic churches. He was a devoted to his faith, said his sister, Bernadette McHugh Torres. Mr. McHugh, 36, was an Eucharistic minister at St. Peter's Church in Lower Manhattan. He gave out Holy Communion at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.

But Mr. McHugh, who worked at Euro Brokers and lived near South Street Seaport, was not Mr. Fire-and-Brimstone. "He had a great sense of humor and he liked a good party," Mrs. Torres said. "He was always looking for a good time. But he was just really close to God."
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on October 30, 2001.


McHUGH-Denis J. III, age 36. Died tragically on September 11, 2001; resident of Manhattan, native of Brooklyn, N.Y.; loving son of Bernadette and the late Denis J. McHugh, Jr.; dear brother of Bernadette McHugh Torres and Timothy McHugh; cherished brother-in-law of Reinaldo Torres and devoted uncle of Ryan and Daniel; loving and cherished nephew, cousin and friend to many. Celebration of Life and Mass of the Resurrection Tuesday, October 2, at 10AM at St. Patrick's Cathedral, 5th Avenue at 50th Street, NYC. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Christopher's Inn, P.O. B. 150, Graymoor, Garrison, N.Y. 10524 in memory of Denis J. McHugh III.