John Joseph “Jack” Hughes, age 85, of Toronto, OH passed away Friday, April 12, 2013 at his home.

He was born March 25, 1928 in Toronto, OH the son of the late Charles E. and Anna (Marks) Hughes.

Jack was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church of Toronto and was a 1945 graduate of Toronto High School

He had been employed at the Weirton Steel Company, the former Wallace Brothers automobile dealership of Toronto and Kuhn’s True Value Hardware Store of Toronto.

Jack was instrumental in the construction of many buildings and camp lots at Austin Lake. He was for many years the right hand man of Glenn Cable having been affiliated with Austin Lake since 1955. Early in his career at Austin Lake he drove a ski boat and taught water skiing. He could fix almost anything from trucks to mowers. He was truly a “Jack” of all trades. He could be seen from morning to night mowing grass on his zero turn Kubota while puffing on a big cigar. He planted many Black Walnut trees that campers now enjoy. A shelter at Austin Lake has been named Jack’s Walnut Lodge in his honor.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife – Julia Rose Wasyk Hughes, who passed away December 23, 2010 and whom he married November 11, 1948; son – Thomas Robert Hughes who passed away in 1958; sisters – Mary Catherine Canada and Virginia Murphy-Harrison; brother – Bud Hughes.

Jack is survived by his daughter – Pamela J. ( James) Ventrone of Port Barrington, Il and sisters-in-law – Carol (Charles) Rogers of Toronto, OH, Tilli Camarro of Connecticut, Jennie Dobies of Texas and many, many friends.

Visitation hours for Jack will be 1-4 and 6-9 Monday, April 15th at the Clarke Funeral Home – 302 Main Street – Toronto, OH. 740-537-1234 or 1-855-847-1240. There will be additional visitation from 12 noon to 1 P.M. Tuesday, April 16th at the funeral home.

A celebration service of Jack’s life will be held 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home with celebrant the Reverend Father Jack McCoy officiating. Interment will take place at the Island Creek Cemetery at a later date at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions in memory of Jack may be made to St. Judes Hospital or Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.

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