Obituary of Robert D. Hughes

GOUVERNEUR – Robert Darrell Hughes, (Bob) age 65, of Gouverneur, passed away on February 14, 2025 at Claxton-Hepburn Hospital in Ogdensburg. There will be visitation held at the Gouverneur Community Center on Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. followed by a service at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to a pot-luck style meal at the Community Center after the service. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Bob was born on February 21, 1959 in Gouverneur to the late Darrell and Elinor (Tibbits) Hughes. He graduated from Gouverneur Central School in 1977 where he wrestled and played basketball. Bob married Laura L. Strate on June 13, 1981. Bob worked in the darkroom and as a photographer for the Gouverneur Tribune Press for over 20 years, worked at Cole's Printing and Graphic Control print shop, and has been a job shop printer for the Thousand Islands Sun in Alexandria Bay for around 30 years. Bob set up and ran light and sound for various local bands over the last 44 years. Always busy, he made guitars, but didn't play them, raced at the dragstrip in Cicero, and dove the Queen Anne's Revenge. Bob also enjoyed his Chevy Nova, Miata, and boat, spending time on Trout Lake, woodworking and playing volleyball. Bob loved watching his grandsons play football, basketball and baseball, and was a caretaker of the Riverside cats. He is survived by his wife, Laura Hughes, 3 daughters, Denise LeClair and her husband, Jimmie, Melissa Hughes and companion, Delmer McCollum, and Erin Hughes and her companion, Mitch Hall, and 2 sisters, Linda Storie and Lori Gates and her husband, Rich. Bob is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Jayden, Mason, Hazen and his fiancé, Joanie, Connor and his fiancé, Dekoda, Bryce, Lincoln, and Andrew, bonus grandchildren, Isabelle, Garret, and Bryant, and a bonus great-grandchild, Braeleigh. Bob is predeceased by his parents and a granddaughter, Bryonna Given. Donations in memory of Bob may be made to Friends 4 Pound Paws, 55 Owl Road, Gouverneur NY 13642.