Hugh Joseph St.Leger

Casey's is honored to be assisting the St.Leger family from our WATERBURY Eastside Memorial location.

Hugh J. St. Leger, 86

Metro North engineer, Baltimore native

Hugh Joseph St. Leger, 86, of Waterbury, originally of Baltimore, longtime husband of Bette Jayne (O’Connor) St. Leger, died peacefully at The West River Nursing Home in Milford, on April 23. Hugh was born in Baltimore on Feb. 10, 1938, to James and Margaret, Hugh graduated from the University of Baltimore. 

 Hugh is survived by his daughter, Mary Sarah Thanas (Chris) and grandson Daniel Thanas, and his sister, Elenor (John) Michalov. He is predeceased by his wife, Bette Jayne, his sister Peggy and his three brothers. He is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.

 He moved to Waterbury in 1969 after his marriage to Bette Jayne and grew to cherish the city and the many lifelong friends he made there. The St. Leger’s moved from East Main St to the Overlook neighborhood in 1972. Their home was the site for many wonderful family gatherings and parties. Hugh was a lifelong Democrat and actively supported the party. He served on the Park Board for many years in the late 1990s. 

Hugh was an engineer for Metro North railroads for more than 30 years and enjoyed many trips to New York city on the train until his retirement in the early 2000s. Hugh even got to drive the Ringling Brothers Circus animal train. He was even written up in the New York Times as the Sharp-Eyed Engineer for saving someone on the train. I’m not the best but get paid like the rest was his motto. 

 He was a longtime parishioner of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. Hugh was a member of The Elks, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, and most proudly, a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus. Hugh was a recipient of the St. Joseph Medal from the Archdiocese of Hartford. After his move to Milford, Hugh served as a board member at St. Mary’s Church. 

 An avid sports fan, he loved his Baltimore Orioles games and was a season ticket holder when Camden Yards first opened. Hugh and Bette Jayne followed the UConn Women’s basketball team across the country. March Madness meant Hugh would be pulling John or Brendan and Mary Sarah out of school to go to the NCAA game. No one could get tickets to a sporting event like Hugie. Hugh and Bette Jayne were world travelers, from legendary bus trips to Hunter Mountain to Bora Bora to cruising to and from all over Europe was what they loved. His favorite place was Ocean City, MD. Going to the Boards, he loved to play skee-ball with Mary Sarah, Hannah, Mary Beth, Micheal, Steven, David, and Greg.

Hugh and Bette Jayne’s biggest hobby was their family. They loved surprising Greg and David with a mid-week baseball game. It was only a six-hour car ride there and back! They had their traveling crew of Brendan, Timmy, Emmett, Mary Sarah and Timmy Hogan. They would load us all up and we would drive to an O’s game in Baltimore and stop for one in Philly. Hugie always wanted to be with the kids even if Maggie did get car sick on the way to Irish Step Dancing competitions. Hugh even tried to learn to ski in his fifties to be able to ski with Mark and Van Micheal. Even though he never learned to ski it never stopped him from making sure Patrick, Kevin, Mary Sarah, Timmy, Emmett, Mark, Bobby or Van had a place to ski. 

 Hugh was most joyous when it was time for the family football game. His team was the Farts. They would put Vaseline on the ball or pants the opposing team but loved teaching their tricks to Matthew as he got older. Giving things also made Hugh happy. Making sure that Kricky had her Doritos, Bette Jayne had her Juicy Fruits, Gerry Van had his hot sauce, Hannah’s furniture was stored for the summer and that the Assumption College football team had cookies and chips for the ride home were always his priority.  

 Hugh always wanted to laugh. His jokes were the worst…did you hear the one about the ice fishing or Pete and Repeat were walking down the street. He also loved teasing his family. Suzanne, his sisters, and Jo Hanna got it the worst. Being with the O’Connor boys brough him great joy and lots of laughs and kept him young. 

 There was a special group of ladies who Hugh loved to be with. Bette Jayne, Reenie, Janie, Pauline, and Patsy. Hugh loved being in their company often inviting himself to their lunches. He loved teasing them and spending time with them. 

Hugh’s true love was his grandson Daniel who was the light of life. As a Grandfather Hugh had endless patience and interests in spending time with Daniel. He loved the daily trips to a farm, park, drinking tea or whatever activity he thought Daniel might be interested in. Watching Daniel play any sport was always the best part of his day.
 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on May 14, 2024, at 10:00 am where family and friends can gather directly at the church.

 Hugh’s family would like to thank Simone Phifer of West River Nursing home for the friendship and comfort she provided.  

 Donations can be sent to the St. Vincent De Paul Mission of Waterbury, 38 Willow Street, Waterbury, Connecticut 06710.