Stephen R. Hughes
March 25, 1958 ~ July 5, 2015
Mansfield, Texas-Stephen Steve R. Hughes, 57, formerly of Augusta, Maine, died Sunday, July 5, 2015, following a courageous battle against Younger Onset Alzheimers Disease. His wife Penney was at his side. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on March 25, 1958, a son of Raphael and Joan (Brehm) Hughes. He grew up in Hazlet, New Jersey, and graduated from St. John Vianney Regional High School in Holmdel, New Jersey, class of 1976, and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy. Steve qualified as a Naval Aircrewman and served with Patrol Squadrons 8 and 11 at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine. He also served at Naval Air Development Center, Warminster, Pennsylvania. He married Diane Langelier of Lewiston, Maine, in 1983. On November 1, 1988, he received a direct commission to the rank of Ensign. Assignments as a Naval Officer included Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, Florida, Patrol Squadron 40 at Moffett Field, California; Patrol Squadron 26 at Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine; Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department, Brunswick, Maine; Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit 1, Brunswick, Maine; and Naval Air Systems Command Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland. He married Penney Brackett Hall of Topsham on May 26, 2001. Steve retired from active duty in 2004 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He then worked as a logistician for Naval Air Systems Command. In July 2010, with a heavy heart, Steve ended his career due to symptoms of Alzheimers Disease. Steve and Penney enjoyed the adventures of travel. Their trips included several Caribbean cruises, Hawaii, and road trips to Michigan, Maryland, Florida, and Texas. Most memorable was a scenic drive from Maine to Florida in Steves beloved red Corvette. Steve is most remembered as a loving and devoted father and grandfather. He was kind, generous, and fun loving. He is predeceased by his parents and father in law, Oscar Bill Brackett Jr. He is survived by his loving wife Penney; four children, Sean Hughes and longtime girlfriend Danielle Guy of Topsham, Maine, Andrea Goulet and fianc Noah Doran of Cumberland, Maine, Heather (Hall) Laframboise and husband Joshua of Sabattus, Maine, and Lyndsay (Hall) Frank and husband Christopher of Mansfield, Texas; two brothers, Christopher Hughes and wife Michelle and Brian Hughes and wife Christine; a sister, Joanie Wozny and husband Frank; mother in law, Thelma Brackett; two brothers in law, Robin Brackett and wife Sherry and Wayne Brackett; sister in law, Sherri Brackett and partner Becky Manry; six grandchildren, Delanie and Greyson Doran, Noah and Cora Laframboise, and Olivia and baby boy Frank who is due in December; and several nieces and nephews including, very special niece Kiley Brackett, very special nephews Brian, Tommy, and Michael Hughes. In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Stephen R. Hughes Walk to End Alzheimers at www.alz.org/walk. The Stephen R. Hughes Memorial Team will be found under the Portland, Maine Walk. Visitation will be 9:30-10:30 am, Thursday, July 16, at Knowton Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta, Maine. A memorial service will begin at 10:30 am. Committal with military honors will take place at noon at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Maine. To view Steves memorial page visit www.ctcrawford.com.
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My condolences to Steve’s family, I had the pleasure of knowing Steve while stationed in Brunswick and worked with him at NAVAIR, Fair Winds and Following Seas Shipmate.
– Rich Roediger
Where to start my friend. We have been through so much over the years. VP-11, rebuilding our kitchen 30 days before deployment, being like brothers, not always seeing eye to eye on work decisions or family situations. still talking to me after I wrecked the Black Mustang. Your achievements are nothing that I didn’t expect to happen. My only regret is that we did not have the chance to work together after your commission and me making Master Chief, it would have been great. I am so happy we were able to get together 4yrs ago. My heart goes out to all of the family, there is a hole left in their hearts. May you rest peacefully knowing how much you have touched all you have known. God Bless my friend.
– Owen Unks
Extending deep and heartfelt sympathy to you and your familyMemories grow more precious when loved ones must partBut remain forever growing in the garden of the heart.Though the voice is quiet, the spirit echoes still.As time gently eases your grief, may beautiful memories restore the joythat has been taken from your heart.Steve was a dedicated worker in PMA-290 and I enjoyed working with him.
– Edie Sheahan
Steve I can only imagine the joy in God’s face as he smiles down upon you and welcomes you through his gates. You”ll know your earthly trials are done when the Father tells you, “Well done and welcome home my son”. Penney and family you are so loved. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
– Trish, Allison and Ashley Ramirez
Steve was a great friend and fellow LDO. We served together on the West Coast and in PMA-290. My condolences to his entire family. We lost a fantastic person way too early in his life to a devastating disease. He will be missed. RIP my good friend, you will be missed.
– Rick Rives
Sorry to hear about Steve’s passing at such a young age. Shocking to say the least.My sincere condolences .
– Paul Fisher
I am so sad to hear about this. I was Steve’s CO in VP-26 and he was one of my brightest memories of those days. His humor was infectious and he often kept me from doing something stupid. No one had more respect from the hangar deck than he did. The troops looked up to him and wanted to succeed as he had and the junior officers sought him out for sage advice on how to be a better Officer and leader. He moved freely between the Chiefs Mess and the Wardroom due to the respect and credibility he had from both. He was a dear friend and Shipmate who will be missed by the many lives he improved. God Bless Steve! Brad
– CAPT Brad Leininger, USN (ret)
My sincere heart felt condolences go out to the entire Hughes Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you all be comforted in the knowledge that Steven is in God’s hands, smiling down upon everyone.
– Kathy Tucker
I had the pleasure of going to college with Steve from 95-98 at New Hampshire College (SNUH). He also reenlisted me before I departed for Norfolk, VA in the spring of 1998. Although we were not at the command at the same time, we both served in VPU-1. RIPSteve and prayers to the family.
– Bobbie, Chesapeake VA
Steve my Friend rest easy, we will meet again as I have my plot reserved there also. The Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Augusta is beautiful. I will be on one side, Darlene on the other. Til then.
– Carl Marciniak
TO THE HUGHES FAMILY : IM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS I MET STEVE SEVERAL TIMES THROUGH MY GREAT FRIEND STEVES WIFE PENNY . HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND IS GOING TO MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM.
– JEFFREY SIMPSON
Penny & Family – We were sorry to hear of your loss. Steve was a one of a kind guy and will be missed by all. I have fond memories of him, and was always fascinated with his Naval tales. Steve led a life that most people only dream of. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
– Joe & Susan Amoroso
I had the pleasure of serving with Steve during my tour with VP-26. He was a fine officer and outstanding role model for both junior and senior sailors to emulate. Now he is on eternal watch, forever vigilant. Well done, faithful servant.Fair winds and following seas.
– Les Gibson
This is shocking news. Another good man gone way too soon. Rest in peace shipmate.
– Bill Beard – Shipmate in VPU-1
So sorry for your loss, please take comfort in knowing that he is in a better place and in good company.
– Mary Ann Parker
Dear Penny and the Hughes Family- We just heard of this sad news and want to convey our deepest condolences to you. I was Steve’s AIMD Officer in the late 1990’s. As our MMCO, he was a smart, superb Naval Officer who had a well-deserved reputation for providing outstanding maintenance support to the squadrons, while being extraordinarily dedicated to the welfare of the Sailors that worked for him. He will be greatly missed by many. Our heart goes out to you and Steve’s family. Mike and Shirley Berkin
– Mike and Shirley Berkin
Sean and Family,We are so sorry for the loss of your father. I never got to meet him but know that through you he lives on. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
– Todd & Angie Bogley
My deepest condolences to Steve’s family. I was a brand new E1 in VP-26 in 1993. While on deployment to Sigonella, Sicily I ran a leave chit to get married to my long time girlfriend when we got back home. Mr. Hughes suggested that I take a few more extra days of leave so that my new bride and I could take our time and enjoy the drive from Iowa to Maine. I’ve never forgotten that. Thank You Sir!
– Steve & Tracy Miller – Oak Harbor, WA
To Steve’s family; I’m so very sorry to hear about your loss. I worked with Steve for several years on the former P-3 Critical Obsolescence Program (COP) here at NAVAIR in Southern Maryland. Steve was a nice, smart, and funny guy and is greatly missed by his former team-mates. May god bless him and ease your suffering during this difficult time.
– David Kyser
So sorry to hear of Steve’s passing and his struggle. I worked with him when he was in AIMD and I worked in the Supply Department. I had a great deal of respect and admiration for him. Rest in peace Steve
– Brunswick
Rest in Peace Shipmate. Ruby and I will miss you. Ruby is there in Heaven with you, I am still on the fence.
– Chuck Slack
please accept my sincere condolences, I worked with Steve in VP-26, and he is one of the finest MMCO’s that I have ever worked with in my 27 year Naval carer. His true compassion for the men and women, and his exceptional knowledge of the P-3, made our deployments some of the best that the Patrol community has ever accomplished.
– Bob Mapes
I was deeply saddened to learn of Steve’s passing. We served together in VP-26 and VPU-1. Steve was a great friend and mentor. His passion for the United States Navy and his deep love for his family were always apparent and he was one of the most sincere men with whom I ever had the opportunity to serve. When in my head I recall the word “shipmate,” it will always be Steve’s voice that I hear calling out to me. I share in your grief. Peace.
– Malcolm Andrews
We never met Steve, but having heard such wonderful things about him from his brother Brian and sister in law Christine we would like to express our condolences to his family.
– The Ray family
To the Hughes family, I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Steve at VP-26, he was a great mentor and friend and will be sadly missed. He made my time in Brunswick challenging and fun, I am a better person for knowing him and will always cherish my time spent serving with him. Fair winds and following seas shipmate.
– Martin Spadaccino
to the Hughes family, I’m so sorry for your loss. I was stationed with Stephen at VPU-1, he was a great leader to all that worked for him. I look forward to seeing him again someday.
– Ronnie Sigmon
Please accept my sincere condolences in the passing of LCDR Stephen Hughes. I worked for Steve in VP-26 and found him to be a great leader, and a great man!
– John Clamors