Raymond V. McHugh

Raymond Vincent McHugh 81, a resident of Valley Stream for 53 years, passed away suddenly on August 2nd, 2019. Born in Manhattan on Feburary 26th, 1938, the third son of Irene and Thomas McHugh, brother to the late Thomas and Robert McHugh. He is survived by his niece Karen and nephew Mark. He attended Holy Name Grammar School and Rice High School before joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958. He joined the New York City Police Department in January 1964 and transferred to the Fire Department of the City of New York from which he retired in 1989. 

Ray married Barbara Petrasek on May 16, 1964 and they shared a long and blessed 55 years together. After the birth of their first daughter, Dorothy, in 1965 they moved to their present home in Valley Stream where he started his fundraising company selling chocolate bars and other items. He was lovingly known as “the Candy Man” to many. He was blessed with a second daughter, Christine, in 1968 and a son, Kenneth, in 1972. Ray was an entrepreneur at heart and wore many different hats. He had a variety of different businesses, some of which included vending machines, a meat business, and selling ads for the church bulletin.

Ray was an avid sports fan who loved the Yankees, Giants, and Rangers. He was very involved in coaching baseball and basketball for the Blessed Sacrament Sports Association for many years.

Ray and his family loved to travel. This July was the 40th anniversary at their favorite family vacation destination, Candlelight Cottages, in Lake George, NY. He also loved to cruise and see the world with his wife and friends. Ray was a very outgoing person and enjoyed his years doing Pre-Cana at Blessed Sacrament and teaching religion at Holy Name of Mary Parish. 

Above all he was a loving husband and devoted father to three children and their spouses; Dorothy and Richard, Christine and Richard as well as Kenneth and Michelle.  Grandfather to nine; Bridget (her husband Brad), Cathleen (her husband Brent), Christopher, Jessica, Thomas, James, Kennedy, Matthew and Grady.  Great-grandfather to three; Jonathan, Colin and Maura Kate. He will be missed and always remembered for the loving man he was.