Robert A. Hughes

WORCESTER – Robert (Bob) A. Hughes, 75, of Worcester, MA passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at UMass Memorial – University Campus surrounded by his loving family.  Bob was born in Worcester, son of Roland F. and Marion E. (Rose) Hughes. 

Bob leaves behind his longtime love and companion, Carol Camiros, with whom he embraced family life.  In addition to Carol, he leaves his stepdaughters, Lisa Daggett and her husband Jonathan of Portland, CT, and Stacy Camiros of Tolland, CT; two grandsons, Cody and Brady Daggett; his son by choice, Andrew Rousseau and his wife Supannee of Palmetto, FL; as well as several cousins and longtime friends. 

Bob received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Fitchburg State College.  After graduating, he taught in the Worcester School System for several years before spending the remainder of his career at North Brookfield High teaching Tech Ed classes, including woodworking and CAD.  He was a founder and served as treasurer of the Mass Tech Organization for Vocational Educators. 

Bob was a hands-on person, always helping family and friends with projects and repairs.  He possessed a wide array of trade skills that enabled him to be “Mr. Fixit”, and he engaged in many creative pursuits.  He always wanted to explore the mechanics behind a function or concept.  He embraced technology and was open to challenges and innovation. 

While Bob was a life-long resident of Worcester, his preferred home became Peaks Island, Maine.  Bob settled there as a child when his family purchased a summer home on the water.  There he learned his love of nature and the sea.  Through the years, he maintained and expanded the home into a welcoming place for friends and family.  He was proud to be a part of the small island community.

For nearly 25 years Bob was the patriarch of his extended family, inspiring them to love Peak’s life.  He took great pride in seeing his grandsons grow up there and learn to love the island as he did.  He always enjoyed being on the water, and captained many boating trips around Casco Bay.  Love and laughter were shared in family “Olympic competitions” on the lawn, building rock towers on the beach, making wood craft projects and enjoying lobster dinners.  Reflective moments were enjoyed watching sunsets over the water.

Bob enjoyed traveling to see other cultures and ways of life.  He visited England, Paris, Belgium, and Italy, where he was awed by antiquity and architecture.  Cruises brought him to Caribbean destinations to explore ruins of past civilizations, as well as current life styles and customs.  He maintained a curiosity about the world: past, present and future.  He believed the universe should be appreciated and explored.

Anyone who knew Bob knew how much he loved humor and laughter.  May his legacy be the joy he brought to all who knew him.     

A memorial service in Bob’s honor will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday June 1, 2024, at the Greendale People’s Church, 25 Francis St. Worcester, MA.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brookhaven Hospice Care or VNA Care of Worcester.  Arrangements are in the care of Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave.