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Charles McHugh Obituary
Born in 1917 in New York, he was a third-generation attorney who graduated from the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. One of his first jobs was answering mail at the White House for President Franklin D Roosevelt and later was on the secretarial staff from 1939-1941.
He worked as an assistant New York district attorney and was a pilot and instructor in 1943 for the U.S. Air Corps, flying B-25s. In 1947, he went to work for the law firm of Charles Poletti. Living in the Bronx, he started his own law firm. He served on the school board and was elected to two terms in the New York Legislature.
He was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1948, 1952 and 1972, as well as the town's Democratic chairman for Springfield.
After a 25-year legal career, in 1967 Mr. McHugh became a teacher at Springfield High School. He wrote and negotiated one of the first teacher contracts in Vermont.
He retired from teaching in 1982, and went on to serve on the Board of Directors of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont from 1983-97, as chairman of the board from 1985-90, and spent nine years as Vermont Labor Relations Board chairman.
He enjoyed politics, reading, golf and baseball, and was a sports enthusiast.
He was married to Marie McHugh, who died in January 2008.
He is survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kurn Hattin Home for Children, PO Box 127, 708 Kurn Hattin Road, Westminster, VT 05158.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 26, at St. Mary's Church in Springfield.
Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.
View the guest book at www.rutlandherald.com/ obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Brian Mohr
May 21, 2010
Thanks Grandpa for showing us what is so incredibly special about the forests and rivers and mountains.
Edward C. Biele
May 21, 2010
Charlie and I became friends shortly after we started our studies at Columbia Law School in September, 1939. The week we started shook the world when Hitler invaded Poland to start WW II.
In 1946 through Charlie and his sister Connie Tangey I meet an attractive war widow from the State of Washington. In December, 1946 we married, Charlie was an usher, and lived happily together until two years ago when my wife died.
We kept in touch to continue our friendship after I moved to Seattle in 1950. Over the years I made many business trips to New York and New England. To those trips I tacked on visits to Springfield or thereabouts for lunches or dinners and delightful conversations with Charlie.
For 71 years Charlie remained a close and favorite friend, a keen observer of contemporary life, and a staunch University of Michigan wolverine.
With deep personal grief I send to the McHugh family my sympathy and condolences.
Charlie, "Rest your oar."
Pam (whitney) Anderson
May 19, 2010
"""Mr. McHugh"""" was amazing,as a student 1971, at S.H.S he truly showed us many way's to learn of politic's and understanding of the era we were living in what a very loved and respected man he was for our class.
Maria Mangano
May 18, 2010
"Mr.McHugh" was an extraordinary teacher who touched the lives of many students, including mine. In the spring of 1974, when I was a senior, he had a TV rolled into the classroom every day so we could watch the Watergate hearings -- "This is more important than anything I could teach you." May he rest in peace.
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Kirsten Aiello
May 18, 2010
The one thing I remember about Mr. McHugh as a teacher at SHS, was the day taught our class how to read the New York Times as if we were on the subway. Up until his death, my father in law, Doug Seymour would take him the NYT every Sunday! He will truly be missed.
Gary Blodgett
May 17, 2010
Charlie was a friend, a mentor, a leader, and a wonderful example for so many teachers. I remember being able to turn to him as a new teacher, throughout my teaching career, and when I was retiring. He will be remembered and missed.
Robert Crane
May 16, 2010
My father Byron Crane and Charles were first cousins. Their relationship goes back to the thirties when they met at family gatherings. Molly McHugh, Charles' aunt and my father helped Charles find a place to live in Ann Arbor as a freshman at University of Michigan. They stayed in touch through the years, last talking over the phone just a couple months ago.
Charles will be missed by his cousins in Michigan, Mary Ellen and Byron Crane
Henry & Nora Swierczynski
May 16, 2010
Charlie maintained his phenomenal memory up to the very end.
He was happy to have company- and certainly was a superb conversationalist.
We have lost a wonderful mind!
Frank Gontier
May 15, 2010
Charles was an extraordinary man. An intelligent, kind and compassionate soul. I will miss him dearly. My deepest sympathy goes to his family.
Cathy Mitchell
May 15, 2010
Mr McHugh was one of the most influential teachers I had and I have thought of him very fondly over the years. It didn't matter what the course was he was teaching (I had him for three), the message and the humor was the same :) What a wonderful mind this world has lost...
Lorraine Zigman
May 15, 2010
My deepest sympathy to Charlie's family. I was a secretary at Springfield H.S. when he was teaching there. He was "one of a kind", heavily involved in whatever issues were at hand, standing up for what was right. Charlie will be deeply missed. Hold fast to all your wonderful memories.
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