Gary Robert Hughes Sr.

1954 - 2021

Gary's soul, spirit went to heaven Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021.

He passed at home with his loving wife, Robin, and faithful companion, Sarge, by his side.

Gary was cremated and physically left this Earth on Feb. 5, 2021.

A hospice patient since Jan. 30, 2016, he passed shortly after contracting the coronavirus.

Born in Scranton on Dec. 10, 1954, he was the son of the late Melvin Howard Hughes and Gladys Elsie Van Why Hughes.

His parents provided Gary and his siblings a wonderful upbringing, which Gary was so very grateful for.

Gary's heart never truly mended after the loss of them in 2003.

Gary was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kira I. Neumann, Hawaii, who was born on July 6, 2012, and was called to heaven the following day.

Even though he never had the opportunity to meet her, he often spoke to her and she was a constant presence in his heart and mind.

He was also preceded in death by many four-legged furry children, too many to name, who greeted him upon his arrival.

Gary, formerly of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, graduated in 1972 from Wyoming Area School District.

Gary was a lifelong fan of the Giants, an avid golf player, loved animals, gambling (slot machines and scratch offs) and loved to travel.

Gary and his wife traveled extensively throughout their marriage.

It was nothing for the two of them to hop in their car and take a weekend road trip.

They drove cross country multiple times touring the beautiful USA and visiting Las Vegas and as many National Parks as possible.

The couple was also fortunate to have toured Italy.

Gary loved to bake and cook, spending countless days preparing the holiday desserts.

His keen eye for home décor was demonstrated in every room.

Gary could fix anything and was known as "Mr. Fix It" to his sisters-in-law, Desiree, Cynthia and Holly.

His wife always credited his mother for his baking, cooking and decorating skills; and his father for his fix-it skills.

Gary shared his workplace with many family members who included his wife, father, brother, uncles, brother-in-laws and nephews.

Fondly known as "Muskrat" by his co-workers, Gary worked from 1975 to 2001 at Chesapeake Packaging Company (Scranton Division) where he completed his career as a supervisor.

Gary and Robin were married on June 26, 1998, in a small but intimate ceremony at the Luzerne County Courthouse, Wilkes-Barre.

Gary was a devoted husband and a loving son, brother, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by all.

Gary is survived by the following family members whom he loved immensely, wife, the former Robin S. Pierangeli, formerly of Scranton (south-side); children, Gary Robert Hughes II (Christina), Hughestown; fraternal twin daughters, Kristy Lynn Kostik (Jeffrey), Wyoming; Tara Marie Neumann (Charles), Arlington, Va., and Hawaii; siblings, Melvin Ronald Hughes (Lynne), Falls; Donna L. Lukash, Exeter; Vickie L. Burns (George), Exeter; grandchildren, Andrew Hughes, Hughestown; Braidon, Connor and Adelyn Kostik, Wyoming; Kyla Neumann, Hawaii; Charles Neumann, Arlington, Va., and Hawaii; multiple nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins and friends; and his German shepherd, Sarge, who never left his side and cherished Gary from the beginning to the very end.

A Mass will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 10, in Cathedral of Saint Peter, 315 Wyoming Ave., Scranton.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, please call or text 570-351-4436 to reserve a pew.

Interment and celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

The family would also like to extend their sincere appreciation to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Andrew Brown's Drug Store and Home Health Care Center, E. Blake Collins Funeral Home, Sunlight Crematory (#18151) and the multiple physicians throughout his life.

Please send any and all condolences to P.O. Box 4242, Scranton, PA 18505.

Additionally, any and all contributions may be made in Gary's memory to the following animal shelters: Griffin Pond Animal Shelter 967 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, or SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 E. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

Gary, you will be missed deeply and truly, we will miss your voice, laugh, smile, kisses, hugs, wisdom and so much more.

We love you and will always love you Gary.

Rest easy, rest in peace Gary.

In closing, his wife, Robin, wishes to leave with a poem by Washington Irving:

There is sacredness in tears.

They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.

They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.

They are messengers of overwhelming grief… and unspeakable love.