Charles T. McHugh, MD Obituary (1937 - 2022)

Charles T. (Tom) McHugh, M.D., died peacefully at home on December 14, 2022 following a brief illness. Tom was born in Passaic, New Jersey on December 5, 1937. He graduated from Ridgewood, New Jersey High School in 1955, Wesleyan University in 1960, and Albany Medical School in 1964. He did his internship at the University of Chicago and completed his surgical residency at Northwestern University Medical School in 1972. From 1965 to 1967 he served with the United States Public Health Service as physician to Peace Corps volunteers in Tanzania. Tom was Vice President for Medical Education at Columbus Cuneo Cabrini Medical Center in Chicago from 1972-1979 and had a private General Surgery and Family Medicine practice until 1986. In 1987 he moved with his family to Maine where he remained until his death. While in Maine, he was a general surgeon at Calais Regional Hospital and Down East Community Hospital (where he also served as President of the Medical Staff) and had a family practice in Baileyville. He also served as the Baileyville town health officer, the Baileyville school physician, the Georgia Pacific Mill Medical Director and the Medical Examiner for Washington County. He was also involved in numerous professional activities, including but not limited to, being a member of the Board of Governors of the American College of Surgeons (and President of the Maine chapter), a Delegate and State Caucus Chair with the American Medical Association, and a very active member of the Maine Medical Association. He also served on the Board of Directors of Acadia Hospital and as a member of the Board of Corporators for Northern Light Health System. Tom was pre-deceased by his parents, Charles and Mary McHugh. He is survived by his wife Anne; his children and their spouses David and Anne McHugh, Scott and Kelly (McHugh) Presley, and Thom and Kailey McHugh; and his grandchildren Andy and Mollie McHugh and Brynsaeth Presley. He is also survived by his brother John McHugh, and numerous in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Many have their own memories of Tom, but universal to all are his deep voice, his loud laugh, his sense of humor, and his knack for storytelling – never forgetting the lesson from his father, “Never spoil a good story by sticking to the truth.”