Obituary of Mark J. Hughes

Mark J. Hughes, 36, of North Pawling St., Hagaman passed away Friday morning at St. Marys Hospital with his family at his side after a courageous battle with cancer for over 3 years. Born on February 16, 1969 in Argencia, Newfoundland, Canada he is the son of Mark L. and Judith Martin Hughes of Amsterdam. Mark was a lifelong area resident, was an Amsterdam High School Class of 1987 graduate and went on to graduate from Fulton-Montgomery Community College with an associates degree in Business Administration. Mark first went to work for the former Amsterdam Savings Bank as a consumer loan underwriter until April of 1996. He then went to work for Progressive Insurance in Albany until most recently transferring to Amsterdam where he was currently working as an independent adjuster. Mark was also a Notary Public. He was a member, former vice president and treasurer of the Irish American Club in Amsterdam, was a member of the former Kiwanis Club of Amsterdam, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 701, the Y.M.C.A., and the Hagaman Youth Commission. Mark also enjoyed painting, playing the guitar, skiing, and trips to the ocean with his family. Mark was a communicant of St. Stephens Roman Catholic Church in Hagaman. Besides his parents survivors include his wife, Lorena Nori Shannon Hughes whom he married on October 21, 1995; his 3 children, Shannon Judith Hughes, Mark Andrew Hughes, and Margaret Antoinette Hughes; his brother Martin J. Hughes and his wife Linda of Amsterdam; his mother-in-law Judith Shannon and her companion John Piska: two brothers in-law, David and Andy Shannon both of Hagaman; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Stephens Roman Catholic Church, N. Pawling St., Hagaman, with the Rev. Ronald Matulewicz officiating. The burial will take place in Hagaman Cemetery, Hagaman. Calling hours will be on Monday from 4 until 8 p.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam. Memorial contributions may be made in Mark?s memory to a special fund for the Hughes children, payable to M. J. Hughes, 171 Guy Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY 12010. Please sign the family?s guest book at www.brbsfuneral.com.