John Byron Hughes' Obituary
Dr. John Byron Hughes, MD of Oshkosh died Saturday, January 14, 2017 at his home, surrounded by family. He was born on August 8, 1930 in Pardeeville, WI to Dr. Byron James Hughes and Vera Slemmons Hughes. On September 8, 1954 he married Mary Catherine Garvey at St. Paul's University Chapel in Madison, WI. John was a 1948 graduate of Oshkosh High School, recieved his BS degree in Medical Science at the University of Wisconsin in 1952 and his MD in 1955 where he was a member of the Phi Chi medical fraternity. He then did his Internship at Madison General Hospital. In 1956 he and Mary moved to Reno, Nevada where he served as Captain at Stead Air Force Base. In 1959 they moved with their son Patrick to Milwaukee where he began his Pediatric Residency at Milwaukee Children's Hospital. In 1961 John and Mary moved with their children, Pat and Ellen to Oshkosh where he began a 35 year career in Pediatrics. Shortly after, the twins, Mike and Molly were born. Consistant with his sense of responsibility to community, he was selected by the American Academy of Pediatrics to be the consultant for the Oshkosh Head Start Program at its inception. John was also supportive of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and participated in the Jerry Lewis , Bart Star Telethon for a number of years. He served as Secretary then President of the Medical Staff at Mercy Medical Center in 1968. In his retirement, John logged many miles both on his bike and car. He and Mary enjoyed numerous road trips, whether it was to the cottage in Waupaca, wintering in Arizona or trips to visit children and grandchildren across the country. Although to John, nothing would ever compare to Oshkosh. Embracing the life of a boy growing up on Lake Winnebago, with the freedom to explore, he learned the importance of independence, self sufficiency, and community. This was cultivated by the strong relationship he had with his father. With a strong value base, he left for college. While home on a summer job, he met Mary Catherine Garvey from "Appleton" and his life would never be the same. A solid, quiet man found his match in an outgoing gregarious woman.
John is survived by his four children; son, Dr. Patrick Garvey Hughes, his wife, Dr. Shelia Anderson; daughter, Ellen Loftus, her husband, Mike Loftus and children, Dr. John Hughes Loftus, Elizabeth and Dan; son, Dr. Michael Garvey Hughes, his wife Cyndy, and children, Ryan, Tom and Megan; daughter, Molly Penny, her husband Rick and children, Richard John and Mary Catherine; brother, Dr. Richard Hughes and his wife, Marsha; sister, Zane Flemming; sister, Margaret Sharp her husband Tom; and numerous nieces, nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, step mother, Margaret Keenan Hughes; brother-in-law, Keith Flemming; sister-in-law, Lola Hennes.
A time of visitation will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Peter Catholic Church, 435 High Av. in Oshkosh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the church on Saturday at 10 a.m. Burial will military honors will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
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