J. Michael McHugh III

J. Michael McHugh III

Mike McHugh died on November 29, 2025. He was born January 17, 1948 in Mercerville, NJ. The family transferred to Carneys Point, NJ in 1956. Mike graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1965 and received a Bachelor's degree in 1969 from Glassboro State College.

He taught music to elementary students in Glassboro for three years. He then decided to go to seminary and received a Master's Degree in Divinity and then was ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1975. Mike didn't want to be a pulpit minister, but one to do counseling.

Shortly after being ordained, he went on a vacation and drove to California. On his way back, he stopped in Albuquerque, NM and never left. At first, he did house-sitting, but also worked as a Chaplain at St. Joseph's Hospital. He also had worked for Hospice.

While living in Glassboro, he built a canoe in his apartment. On one of his outings, he took his little sister Pat canoeing on the Delaware River. Got to be a little scary when they got near a freighter and a buoy.

One of Mike's loves was music and playing the organ, but he also wanted to build pipe organs. He started his business as an organ builder, and also tuned and repaired organs. Mike was the organist/choir director at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque for several years, until his retirement. While director he wrote music for his choir.

Mike was predeceased by his parents John and Dorothy McHugh and his sister D. Jean Heintzelman. He is survived by his sister Pat (Chris) Withers of Pennsville, NJ.

Services will be held on Tuesday December 16th, 2025 at 11:00 am at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM. Interment will be private.

Special thanks to Mike's friends, Larry, Karen, Tom and Rick who helped him during his illness. Also, thanks to Q Hospice of Albuquerque who were extremely helpful not only to Mike, but also his sister Pat.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Union Presbyterian Church 254 Shell Rd. Carneys Point, NJ 08069 or Q Hospice 7801 Academy Rd. NE Suite 214 Albuquerque, NM 87109.