John Hughes

In memory of John B. Hughes

John B. Hughes, 73, passed away on January 20, 2026, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, his beloved hometown on Long Island Sound, after a long illness. A loving husband and father, he is survived by Michele (Fezza) Hughes, his wife of 49 years, and his two children, Jenevieve and Michael. He shared wonderful memories with his family, and although he continued to face illness after his retirement in November 2021, in his remaining years he shared meaningful quiet time with his wife who was caring for him.

John was raised in Wantagh and Huntington, New York, on Long Island. From his parents, Andrew L. Hughes and Mary Ellen Dunn, John acquired a strong sense of integrity, ethics, and admiration for the law. His mother was a legal secretary before becoming a devoted mother, and his father was a highly accomplished and respected libel lawyer in New York City. John often reminisced about his father's briefcase resting at home at the end of a long work day and would recall being inspired by its fascinating legal documents.

John graduated from Holy Family High School on Long Island (class of 1970), from Fairfield University in CT (class of 1974), and from St. John's Law School in NY (class of 1977). He retained life-long friends from each chapter, including his college housemates, his teammates on the inaugural Fairfield men's lacrosse team, and his law school study group, treasuring his final year when he and wife, Michele, attended law school together. Always an athlete and sports enthusiast, he loved a hearty tennis match, especially competitive matches with his mother-in-law. Later, he enjoyed his role as a volunteer coach for several youth sports teams in town.

In the evenings, John loved kayaking around the Thimble Islands and exploring the coast in his small boat, which he also captained for his family on weekend excursions to Stony Creek for coffee and scones. Excursions included Faulkner's Island, Outer Island, the New Haven Harbor, the Farm River, the Branford River, and the nearby salt marshes to observe the osprey nests maintained by the Branford Land Trust. One precious memory was helping to band new osprey chicks in the spring alongside his wife.

Other treasured memories were early morning golf (aka 'The Dawn Patrol'), golf trips and boating adventures on the Atlantic Ocean with his best friends, Grand Canyon River rafting adventures with one of his brothers, and ski weekends with his children and extended family at Stratton, Vermont. John shared countless wonderful memories with his five siblings, from outdoor projects at the family homestead on Long Island, to gatherings in upstate New York at their eldest brother's farmhouse.

After John graduated from St. John's Law School in 1977, he completed a federal clerkship for Judge Robert Zampano, whom he considered a mentor. In 1980, John began a rewarding 42-year career in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Connecticut. After completing a special assignment, he was appointed an AUSA in 1981 and was named the Chief of the Civil Division in 1989, a position that he held until his retirement in 2021. During that time, he served under 14 U.S. Attorneys, and as a Civil Chief under 12 of those. He was a founding member and first chairperson of the Civil Chiefs Working Group, and in 2011, he received the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys Director's Executive Achievement Award. Few words can express John's level of dedication to federal public service and to his colleagues. They truly were a second family.

John's quick wit and sense of humor brought cheer to all around him, even in the final days of his life. When asked by a visiting priest if he would like last rites, which included anointing with holy oil, reconciliation (confession), and prayers, he replied "sure, if there's a three-for-one special." This same humor uplifted others during his hospital stays over the years, a testament to his warrior spirit, strong will, and charitable heart. He was deeply loved and is dearly missed.

A small private memorial service will be held on Long Island for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of John to the environmental charity, Save The Sound, or to the Connecticut Hospice in Branford.