CASTINE – On April 5, 2011, Cmdr. Richard G. McHugh was called home to be with the Lord. He was born in 1938, son of the late Elizabeth V. (Fahey) McHugh and Joseph F. McHugh, and spent his formative years in Montclair, N.J.
He was predeceased by his sister, Arlene C. (McHugh) Snider; and his son, Jan McHugh. He is survived by his children, Ryan McHugh and wife, Ellen, Karen and husband, James Parisse, Erin and husband, Al Worster, Lee-Ann and husband, Craig Bilbrough, and Fred McHugh; as well as his former wife, Elisabet McHugh of Moscow, Idaho. He leaves eight grandchildren; a sister, Patricia and husband, Daryl Robinson; and brothers, Joseph McHugh, Donald McHugh and wife, Patricia, and Frederick McHugh and wife, Sandra.
After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Seton Hall University in New Jersey, he went on to attend Naval Officers Candidate School in Newport, R.I. He was commissioned in 1962 and his naval career spanned 23 years. He served aboard the USS Tioga County, the USS Rupertus, the USS Frigate Bird and PT fast boats. His noted medals include two bronze stars, three Meritorious Unit Commendations, One Navy Unit Commendation and Vietnam Service Medal with 10 stars. After several years at the Pentagon, Richard moved his family to Moscow, Idaho, where he was a professor of Naval Science. During this time in Idaho, he demonstrated a passionate dedication to the Boy Scouts. He expanded and led several Boy Scout troops. After separating from his wife, Elisabet, he moved to Castine, and served as the NROTC commander at Maine Maritime Academy. While in Castine, he retired from the U.S. Navy in 1985. During his retirement years he stayed busy owning and operating a local bar forever known as The Reef, a seafood restaurant known as The Quarterdeck, and finishing his time running a lobster boat known as The Duchess.
He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Correspondence and memories may be shared via his son at mchugh.rc@gmail.com.