Obituary for James Austin McHugh
James Austin Michael McHugh, 78, of Bloomfield, passed away Saturday, December 17, 2022 in the presence of family. James (better known to friends and family as Jim or Jimmy or, when he was young, Seamus) was born in Manhattan to the late Peter and Annie (Quinn) McHugh.
After graduating from Xavier High School, James received an A.B. in Mathematics, with a minor in Philosophy, from Fordham University Phi Beta Kappa in 1965 and a Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics from Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University in 1970. During the course of his career, he has been a Member of the Technical Staff at Bell Telephone Laboratories (Wave Propagation Laboratory), Director of the Ph.D. program in Computer Science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Acting Chair of Computer and Information Science Department at NJIT, and Director of the Program in Information Technology. Dr. McHugh received the Excellence in Teaching Award from NJIT in 2002 and 2021 and the University Master Teacher Award in 2009. He was a tenured Full Professor in the Computer Science Department with a joint appointment in the Informatics Department at NJIT. Known for his intellect, quick wit, and passion for his work, Jim was incredibly patient, encouraging and kind, especially when it came to his work as a teacher and mentor.
As impressive as his career achievements were, Jim was always most proud of being a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and son – as well as the fun, trickster uncle of his many nieces and nephews. As a young man, Jim would simultaneously write his PhD thesis and mind the family liquor store in Jackson Heights to help his aging father. Even when he married and moved to New Jersey, he called his widowed mother every day and visited her almost weekly, often regaling her with funny stories and jokes. His wife and sons, and the love and pride that he felt for them, remained the true north of his life, guiding him in everything he did. This true north later came to include his beloved daughters-in-law and grandchildren. He would have given all he had, and more, to ensure their collective happiness and success.
James is survived by his beloved wife Alice (Cayetano) McHugh, sons Peter J. McHugh and his wife Heather (Kenyon), and James E. McHugh and his wife Katherine (Koumoutsos), brothers William McHugh and his wife Robin, Peter McHugh and his wife Peggy, John McHugh and his wife Linda, and grandchildren Matthew, Maximillian, Liliana, Quinn, and Dean and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Ann Marie Nigro and Margaret Quinn Gallagher, and his granddaughter Melody McHugh.
Visitors will be received at the wake at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, (www.swbrownandson.com), 267 Centre St., Nutley on Friday, January 6th 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 7th 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church, 187 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043. Private ceremony for the burial.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to one of the following:
Melody Makers Music Therapy Fund (www.melodymakersmusic.org) in honor of his granddaughter, Melody
St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church (www.stcassianchurchuppermontclair.org/donate)
St. Thomas the Apostle Church (www.stachurchbloomfield.org)
After graduating from Xavier High School, James received an A.B. in Mathematics, with a minor in Philosophy, from Fordham University Phi Beta Kappa in 1965 and a Ph.D. degree in Applied Mathematics from Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University in 1970. During the course of his career, he has been a Member of the Technical Staff at Bell Telephone Laboratories (Wave Propagation Laboratory), Director of the Ph.D. program in Computer Science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Acting Chair of Computer and Information Science Department at NJIT, and Director of the Program in Information Technology. Dr. McHugh received the Excellence in Teaching Award from NJIT in 2002 and 2021 and the University Master Teacher Award in 2009. He was a tenured Full Professor in the Computer Science Department with a joint appointment in the Informatics Department at NJIT. Known for his intellect, quick wit, and passion for his work, Jim was incredibly patient, encouraging and kind, especially when it came to his work as a teacher and mentor.
As impressive as his career achievements were, Jim was always most proud of being a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and son – as well as the fun, trickster uncle of his many nieces and nephews. As a young man, Jim would simultaneously write his PhD thesis and mind the family liquor store in Jackson Heights to help his aging father. Even when he married and moved to New Jersey, he called his widowed mother every day and visited her almost weekly, often regaling her with funny stories and jokes. His wife and sons, and the love and pride that he felt for them, remained the true north of his life, guiding him in everything he did. This true north later came to include his beloved daughters-in-law and grandchildren. He would have given all he had, and more, to ensure their collective happiness and success.
James is survived by his beloved wife Alice (Cayetano) McHugh, sons Peter J. McHugh and his wife Heather (Kenyon), and James E. McHugh and his wife Katherine (Koumoutsos), brothers William McHugh and his wife Robin, Peter McHugh and his wife Peggy, John McHugh and his wife Linda, and grandchildren Matthew, Maximillian, Liliana, Quinn, and Dean and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Ann Marie Nigro and Margaret Quinn Gallagher, and his granddaughter Melody McHugh.
Visitors will be received at the wake at S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, (www.swbrownandson.com), 267 Centre St., Nutley on Friday, January 6th 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 7th 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church, 187 Bellevue Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043. Private ceremony for the burial.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to one of the following:
Melody Makers Music Therapy Fund (www.melodymakersmusic.org) in honor of his granddaughter, Melody
St. Cassian Roman Catholic Church (www.stcassianchurchuppermontclair.org/donate)
St. Thomas the Apostle Church (www.stachurchbloomfield.org)