James Mchugh

James "Jim" Gerald McHugh, 70, of Lander, passed away on Friday, December 16, 2016 at the home of Wendy Weimann with Hospice in attendance.
Jim was born November 9, 1946, in Boston, Mass., the son of Edward and Elizabeth McHugh. His work history included being a sales representative for Putman Publishing along the East Coast for many years. Upon his retirement when he was in his 50's, he moved to Lander, his adopted home town.He loved the town, it's people, and developed many friendships. With great pride, Jim loved to introduce himself as, "I'm an Irish Catholic from Boston."

Jim was the noble and charming individual walking up and down main street visiting with Lander's main street merchants, Wyoming Catholic College faculty, students and locals on a daily basis.You could find him drinking coffee or smoking a cigarette on many of the Main Street's benches. Jim was always complimentary and willing to chat about everything in his strong Bostonian accent. He was the one asking about how your day has been, how the children and family are doing and often asked the Catholic College students if they could speak in Latin, not that he understood a word but just for the fun of it.
Jim was the gentleman in town that would open the doors for the mothers with children and ladies, he also was the one giving them proper compliments.Most of his life he traveled and seen everything selling books for penguin book publisher although many of Jim's friends joked he probably ended up in Lander through the witness protection program. Before Jim retired he, did quite some research about small towns with a welcoming diverse population, surrounded by mountains and where he is able to walk to the book stores, coffee shops, library and grocery shops and he ended up in beautiful Lander.
Jim had a great sense of humor, knew everyone and wasn't prejudice or judgmental. Jim enjoyed storytelling, fishing, spending time in the mountains, reading books, art, music especially jazz and the Rat Pack members, his (almost) daily biscuit and gravy, thrift shopping and his beloved sport teams the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.Jim's favorite saying was "You only live once, if you live it right, once is enough".Jim wanted to die amongst his friends who he saw as family in Lander, after a short battle with his health he passed on December 16th.
Jim is survived by his sister, Ruth Buker of Wardensville, WV., and his many Lander friends.He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Helen McHugh and Marion Costello, and a brother, Edward.
The final message of his sister, Ruth, was, "God speed, Jimmy.My little brother was placed in my arms at the age of five and was asked, 'What do you think, Ruth, should we keep him?'Oh, YES Mom, he's a keeper!"
A Memorial Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church, Saturday, January 28th 10:30 a.m.
Spreading of his cremains will occur later in the summer.
A Jim McHugh Memorial Fund has been set up at the Bank of the West at 303 Main St, Lander, WY 82520 to help with funeral expenses.Donations may also be given to the Jim McHugh Scholarship Fund, Wyoming Catholic College, 306 Main St., Lander 82520.Donations to the Scholarship Fund are tax deductible.Online donations can be made at:http://www.wyomingcatholiccollege.com/support-wcc/mchugh


Funeral Home:
Hudson's Funeral Home
680 Mount Hope Drive
Lander, WY
US 82520

Service:
Hudson's Funeral Home
680 Mount Hope Drive
Lander, WY
US 82520