Paul P. McHugh's Obituary
Paul P. McHugh, 91, of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2024. He was born the son of Irish immigrants John and Catherine (Kearney) McHugh on February 14, 1933, in Amesbury, MA. Paul attended St. Joseph's School in Amesbury and graduated from Amesbury High School. He furthered his education at St. Michael’s College, VT and finished his degree at Boston College in 1955. Drafted into the US Army after graduation, Paul served in a MASH Unit in Korea where he proudly served his country and perfected his ping pong game.
Upon discharge from the Army, Paul moved to Milwaukee to work for the Social Security Administration. Quickly advancing in his career, he accepted new positions in Kankakee, IL; Chicago, IL; LaSalle, IL; Peoria, IL; and Oshkosh WI, where he retired as District Manager in 1991. It was in the Chicago office where he met Kathleen Olig. They were married on January 8, 1966. Together, they raised four sons who were the focal point of their lives.
Paul had a zest for life, he was always curious and a lifelong learner. With his Irish wit, he was a gifted conversationalist and storyteller, able to find common connections with every person he encountered. Paul loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren, golf, visit libraries, pan for gold, and travel. Together, Paul and Kathleen traveled extensively to many exciting locales, including Alaska, the great national parks out west, the Canadian Rockies, Ireland, and continental Europe. Paul was fascinated by the curiosities of life in small-town America on their drives around Wisconsin and throughout the US. Paul and Kathleen also enjoyed their snow birding travels, spending time in Port Aransas, TX, or Gulf Shores, AL, every February for many years. He was an avid sports fan in general but as a lifelong Red Sox fan, he complained about them just as enthusiastically as he rooted for them. He will be missed by his many friends, including his cribbage group of 45 years.
Paul was a tireless volunteer in the community, and he took great pride in his contributions to his church parish and the Oshkosh community. He served on the Menominee Zoo board, the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, Sacred Heart School, Cub Scouts, and delivered library books to shut-ins, to name a few. A man of deep faith and love for the Lord, he also volunteered for many roles at church.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and his children: Tim of Cedarburg, WI; Brian (Susan) of Edina, MN; Terry of Wausau, WI; and Chris (Rosibel) of Madison, WI, and grandchildren: Matt, Katie, Molly, Caroline, Morgan, Nathan, and Alex as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Catherine McHugh; siblings Isabelle, Margaret, Frank, John, and Kathleen; and daughter-in-law Terri Lynn.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Jude's Catholic Church (Sacred Heart site) in Oshkosh on Saturday, June 29 at 11:30am. A time for visitation will be held at the church on Saturday from 9:00am until 11:15am.
The family extends its gratitude to the staff at Aurora Hospital and Hospice for their care of Paul at the end of his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Catholic Church, Oshkosh Knights of Columbus Council 614, or Day by Day Shelter.
“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
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