Joseph John Hughes

Joseph Hughes of Bel Air passed away peacefully at his home on December 24, 2015.

Born in Philadelphia of Irish parents, Joseph Hughes entered St. Charles Seminary when he was a teenager and received a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He served as a parish priest and high school teacher for six years, during which he also earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Villanova University.

After he moved to Harford County in 1971, Hughes continued his education, earning 30 credits in school law, understanding juvenile delinquency, and psychology. His service to Harford County Public Schools included roles as Joppatowne High School counselor from 1972 to 1992 and pupil personnel worker from 1992 to 2002. He also was a teacher/counselor at Harford Community College from 1978-1993.

Joe was very active in the community and taught religion to adults at St. Margaret Catholic Church. He was a guest speaker for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and member of the St. Margaret Parish Council, the board of directors for Harford County Habitat for Humanity, and he coached baseball and soccer for Harford County Parks and Recreation.
Throughout his life, he always answered the call to serve; he prayed with critically ill patients at Upper Chesapeake Hospital and led monthly prayer services at Bright View Assisted Living Home. He relished singing with "The Irishman's Chorale," a group that entertained and raised money for charitable organizations throughout the city of Baltimore.

He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including being the first to receive the Harford County Home Teacher's Humanitarian Award. He was also nominated twice for the Harford County Most Beautiful Person Award.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his dear brother, Pudge.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Germaine, his daughter Kristin (William) Short of New York, New York; his son Joseph (Alyssa) Hughes of Baltimore, Maryland; his son Daniel (Katie) Hughes of Baltimore, Maryland; his grandchildren Jane, Mack, Molly, Niele, Rose, and Wolfie; and his sister Bernadette Gibboni of Richboro, Pennsylvania, and brother Jack Hughes of Skippack, Pennsylvania.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for Joe on Tuesday, December 29th at 10:00 am at St. Margaret Church in Bel Air. Joe's family will be receiving visitors at St. Margaret from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Monday, December 28th as well as prior to the Mass on Tuesday morning.

Memorial contributions may be made to Susquehanna Habitat for Humanity, 205 S. Hays Street, Bel Air, Maryland, 21014.