Continued from previous page Hughes, Michael "Mike" Francis

PORT ORANGE, Fla. — Michael "Mike" Francis Hughes, 66 of Port Orange, Fla., passed away at his home on December 10, 2021.

Mike was born in Albany to Violet and John Hughes, on August 13, 1955. He graduated from Shenendehowa High School in 1973 and worked at the USPS for 30 years. He found joy in helping others and served Thanksgiving dinner for many years at the Equinox, always adopted families for Christmas and spent his retirement volunteering at wildlife rescues and national parks.

Mike will always be remembered for his empathy, love of nature and for being the life of any party. He was an avid N.Y. Giants and Detroit Tigers fan and still liked playing baseball even in his "old age" even if it meant days of ice packs and Advil. He also literally walked all over the country as a political activist, hoping he could get others to "feel the Bern."

He wore his heart on his sleeve, was quick with a joke and a friend to everyone he met. His laugh can still be heard by those who’ve heard it - it was loud and genuine and contagious. He loved being "Uncle Mike" to his nieces and nephews, loved his grandchildren as big as the world and his proudest title was that of "Grampa Hughes."

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Patrick. Mike is survived by his sister and best friend, Kathy Lowery and her husband Skip; and his brother and the person he looked up to most, Jeffrey Hughes, and his wife, Cathy. Mike will be forever loved and missed by his two children, Lauren Beth and Ryan Michael; his grandchildren, Kellan and Violet; and his beloved nieces and nephews.

Mike couldn’t find peace on this earth and after a long battle with depression the pain became too much. Those who wish to remember Mike in a special way can make donations in his memory to the National Alliance of Mental Health at donate.nami.org.