Hugh R. “Hughie” McElheney, passed away July 17th at the age of 70, following a lengthy illness. He was the loving husband of Carolyn S. (Keating) McElheney of Woburn.
Hughie was born and raised in Woburn where he attended Woburn schools and graduated from Woburn High School with the class of 1951. Throughout his life, he held various maintenance positions and was a lifetime member of the Loyal Order of Moose of Woburn where he tended bar for over 20 years and made many lifelong friends. He received a 125-member pin from the Woburn Moose Family Center Awards for bringing in 125 new members.
Hughie was an avid fisherman and spent many days fishing at Horn Pond. He always looked forward to April 1st, which used to be ”opening day” for fishing. A local reporter once asked him, “How do you know when it´s spring?” Hughie´s quote that appeared in the newspaper was “That´s easy, It means I can go fishing.”
For the past 10 years, Hughie took his daily walk to Gaffney Sign Shop on Pleasant St. where he spent time with friend, Keith, and watched him carve signs. He had a group of friends that would also stop by the shop regularly to chat with him.
Hughie and Carol spent their summers at the Ferndale Acres Camp Ground in Lee, NH, where they had numerous close friends, with whom they shared many laughs and fun times.
Hughie was the son of the late Josephine A. (Olivigni) & Charles A. McElheney. He was preceded in death by his brothers Charles A. and Paul D. McElheney. He will be greatly missed by his sisters Caroline Joyce of Woburn and Betty Bradford and her husband Bob of Weymouth. He was the loving uncle of 16 nieces and nephews and 31 great nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be from the McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Wednesday at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main St., Woburn at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Tuesday 5 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.