Salem…..


Robert K. Hughes, age 85, husband of the late Joanne P. (Marraffa) Hughes of Salem died Tuesday afternoon, January 4, 2011 in the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers surrounded by his family.


Born in Boston the son of the late Albert and Dorothy Gladys (Wilson) Hughes, he was raised and educated in Malden. Following his graduation for Essex Agricultural and Technical School in Danvers in the Class of 1943 he joined the United States Navy during World War II. He was discharged in 1946 and became employed by United Farmers until returning to the Navy for a second tour of duty during the Korean War. During his service he was stationed on several ships including the USS Massachusetts.


For several years he had played Minor League Baseball for Ferncroft, a team owned by the New York Yankees.


Once discharged he and his late wife married and began their family. Mr. Hughes returned to the dairy industry on the North Shore working with many dairies including Dunajski Dairy in Peabody. He was also a Lab Instructor at Essex Agricultural School for many years teaching Dairy Production until retiring in 1989.


Mr. Hughes took great pride in his family as well as raising English Budgies, (a bird similar to a parakeet) with his closest friend John Carrocca.

Mr. Hughes is survived by a son John A. Hughes of Swampscott; two daughters, Vivi-Ann Hiveley and her husband Boyd of Haysville, KS and Patricia A. Marques and her husband Paul Jr. of Gloucester; a brother Edwin Hughes of CA; seven grandchildren Jessica Gormley, Jennifer Hamilton, Christine Zak, Amanda Zak, Paul Marques III, Matthew R Hughes, and Stephanie N Marques; four great grandchildren Caitlyn Gormley, Payton Hamilton, Paige Gormley and Tenley Hamilton and several nieces and nephews.


He was predeceased by a daughter Dorothy Zak and two brothers Warren and Merrill Hughes.


Graveside funeral services will be held on Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10:00 A.M. in St Mary's Cemetery, 290 North St., Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Please meet at the main entrance gate (west bound) of the cemetery at 9:45 AM. At the family's request there are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, c/o Hospice of the North Shore, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102 Danvers, MA 01923. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.