Name: Celebration of Life for Lawrence Michael Hughes
Start: 2018-05-26T18:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-05-26T20:00:00.000Z
Location: McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc.

Larry Hughes

Hudson Valley - Lawrence Michael Hughes, 73, a Hudson Valley legend, died on May 6, 2018 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital shortly after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma.

Born in New York City on August 6, 1944, he was the son of Michael and Elizabeth Hughes. He proudly served our country in the US Army during the Vietnam War, and wrote the first non-fiction serviceman's account of the war that was published in 1970.

Following the war, Larry moved from New York City to the Hudson Valley in 1968 and worked in local radio for two years before joining the Poughkeepsie Journal for a 32 year career. Although he officially "retired", he continued to write his column until the time of his death. Throughout his career, he was the recipient of many awards including the Associated Press and Gannett News Service writing awards.

After a short stint as a local morning radio talk show host, he worked for St. Francis Hospital, now MidHudson Regional Hospital, as the public relations coordinator for the Communications Department for 12 years. While there, he produced and hosted three weekly radio programs "Ask the Doctor/Ask the Nurse" that were broadcast throughout the Hudson Valley.

Larry relocated to Arizona for several years to write a book. An avid baseball fan, he was happy to be there to watch and write about the Cactus League Spring Training Baseball. He also never missed the Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown.

Following his retirement, Larry's love for the community and the Hudson Valley continued. He served on the Boards of several community organizations including Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley, Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District, and Mental Health America of Dutchess County. Larry was the recipient of many special awards for his service.

Larry is survived by his sister Betty (Joe) Hedgecock; his niece Marybeth (Tim) Heyden; his nephews Joe (Dawn) Hedgecock and Greg Hedgecock; and 7 grandnieces Caitlin, Rachael, Emily, Erin, Amanda, Courtney and Elizabeth.

A Celebration of Larry's life will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018 from 2-4pm at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. Burial will be private.

The family has requested that memorial donations be made to the following organizations that Larry worked with over the years: Literacy Connections of the Hudson Valley (www.literacyconnections.org), Friends of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District (www.poklib.org), or Mental Health America of Dutchess County (www.mhadutchess.org). Please visit Larry's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Poughkeepsie Journal from May 25 to May 27, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Lawrence Hughes

Sponsored by McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc..

19 Entries

Atlanta, GA

Christina Haufe

June 23, 2018

Lagrangeville, NY

Christina Haufe

June 23, 2018

Vietnam

Christina Haufe

June 23, 2018

Jackson Heights, NY

Christina Haufe

June 23, 2018

Christina Haufe

June 16, 2018

My heartfelt condolences to Larrys family.
I am so deeply sadden by the news of Larrys passing. He will be greatly missed by those who were fortunate enough to know him.
Larry was a honorary member of our family, starting in Jackson Heights, Queens, NY in 1962. He was a high school friend of my brothers, Michael and Jim Shamkin at Bryant High School, they performed hysterical comedy skits together. He would help me with my home work and projects after school and when I entered college, he continued to edit my papers. Of my earliest memories, Larry and I were sitting watching TV when the news of President Kennedys assignation was broadcast. I was only 11 years old and I remember him explaining it to me. I remember how sad we both felt and how knowledgeable he was. I always enjoyed his company and conversation on any subject. We remained friends through the years. He was best man at weddings, godfather to my nephew and like a son to my parents. He would join us on family vacations and he became a mentor to my younger brother Walter. They enjoyed music, baseball games together and crazy road trips through the south to research Civil War history.
My brothers joined the service the same time as Larry. He was stationed in Fort Dix and visited us before he was deployed. We all drove him back to the base that night, to say goodbye. He continued to write us from Vietnam and we were excited to read his letters and respond. The day he returned, we took him to a Mets game, he stayed with my parents at their new home in Lagrangeville, NY where he passionately worked on his novel, YOU CAN SEE A LOT STANDING UNDER A FLARE IN THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM : MY YEAR AT WAR.
Larry was passionate about many things and causes close to his heart. He involved himself in community and outreach programs, and continued to inspire people through radio and print media. When my parents retired to Arizona, Larry bought a house nearby, built by my brother. He was also very passionate about baseball. He and Walt enjoyed many summer league games together. He returned to Tucson often to visit my father. He recently wrote a beautiful obituary and tribute to my father, that was printed in the Poughkeepsie Journal. He had a quick sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and would often end a joke with a golf swing and a tap dance. He was loving, kind, hard working and dependable. He was always there for me and my family. We love you Larry and you will remain in our hearts forever.

June 16, 2018

June 5, 2018

Larry and I were best friends at Junior High School 125 in Queens N.Y. His dad helped me get my first job at the West Side Tennis Club in 1961. Although we lost touch in the decades that followed, I've always had fond memories of our friendship, his gentle sprite, his pride in his Irish heritage and his rye sense of humor. Wonderful to see that he had such an interesting life that touched so many people.
RIP old friend.
Nick Spiridakis Rehoboth Ma

June 1, 2018

My deepest sympathy to his family. May Almighty God grant you peace as you cope with your loss. Jer.29:11

Lee P

May 27, 2018

My sincere condolences to the Hughes family for your loss. May your treasured memories and the drawing close God in prayer help comfort you in your time of sorrow. Jeremiah 29:12, 13

Thomas Cooper

May 26, 2018

So long, Larry. You were a good and decent person, and we are diminished by your passing.

Larry McCoy

May 26, 2018

Larry, Gil Longin and I reconnected a few years back and relived our days and nights at ABC Radio News. We had wonderful, fun lunches. After his network experience, Larry worked in local news for many years and loved it. He met the newsmakers and those who misbehaved and therefore made the news. I worked in national and international news all the time, and my stories weren't nearly as good, as colorful or as funny as Larry's. My wife, Irene, and I were sad to hear the news.

May 26, 2018

Sorry for your loss. May you have the comfort you need during this time

Gil Longin

May 26, 2018

Larry and I worked at ABC Radio Network News In 1967, and by chance reconnected when I heard his WLNA/WBNR radio show about health care professionals at the old St. Francis hospital. Larry and I and an editor from our old ABC days would meet for an annual lunch at a local restaurant. We missed last year and I was just in the process of trying to line up a meeting for this summer. The news is upsetting. I will miss him.

2017 Landscape Contests Picnic

Rombout Village

May 25, 2018

Larry was a resident shareholder of Rombout Village since 1989. The Rombout team, and all of his friends miss him dearly. Thanks for serving on our Board of Directors. God Bless You, our deepest sympathies to his family.

Judith Warren

May 25, 2018

RIP Larry your now joining the guys from the JOURNAL as you enter the gates of Heaven to your Family and friends I am so sorry for your loss

Jerry Joyce

May 25, 2018

Wow! What a life. What a Poughkeepsie and Hudson Valley treasure. Someone like Larry doesn't come around often. Well done Larry. RIP.

ray watkins

May 25, 2018

My condolences to Larry's friends and family. He was a great news man, but even a greater human being. As the old spiritual goes "When I get to heaven, I'm going to put on my shoes, and walk around heaven and spread the news". I think heaven just received their new "Editor".. Blessings to all lives that he touched.

Richard McHugh

May 25, 2018

Rest In Peace Larry! A great communicator, and a wonderful person. He will be missed! Glad to gave been on his Talkback radio show in 1992 and Larry wrote about my late wife Brenda and me after our wedding in June, 1996. Prayers for his family and many friends.

May 22, 2018

Our condolences to the family. May God fulfill his promise of binding up the brokenhearted. Isa 61:1

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