Obituary of Thomas Anthony McHugh III

Thomas Anthony (Tom) McHugh III, 69, of Freeville, NY, passed away from pancreatic cancer on November 4, 2021. Tom was born in Newark, NJ to Thomas A. McHugh, Jr and Eileen Early McHugh on November 13, 1951. Tom grew up in Millburn, NJ, spent several years in Bloomington, IN, attending Indiana University, working, and playing music. He moved to Spencer, NY in 1976 and to Morristown, NJ in 1978. In 1988, Tom moved to Freeville where he started his business, A Closer Look Inspections. He inspected houses and installed radon mitigation systems in many area homes. Tom was a talented craftsman who could tackle any building or home improvement project. For over a decade he was an active member of the Ithaca Ballet: dancing, serving on the board, and helping to build sets and props. Tom had a beautiful voice, enjoyed playing guitar, boating, and fishing. Tom is survived by his wife, Kathleen “Kathy” Fonda McHugh, children: Abigail Rebecca McHugh-Grifa (Jeffrey), Peter Matthew McHugh, and Ryan Gerald McHugh, grandchildren: Daxton Thomas Grifa and Stellan Jeffrey Grifa, mother: Eileen Early McHugh, siblings: Mary McHugh (Joseph), Dennis McHugh, Christopher McHugh (Pamela), Julianne Pease (David), Martin McHugh (Elisabeth), Katherine McHugh (James), and Marguerite O’Brien (Gerard), in addition to nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. No memorial service is planned. Instead, Tom preferred the many wonderful visits with family and friends during the last few months. In his memory, please consider making a donation to Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, climategfl.org, 758 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620 or Loaves & Fishes, 210 N. Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850