Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Brian C. Hughes, age 69 of St. Cloud. Brian passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at St. Benedicts Senior Community. Reverend Greg Lieser will officiate. Entombment will be in Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum in St. Cloud.
Friends may call after 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Church. Arrangements are with the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud.
Brian was born in St. Cloud, MN to Fred and Valeria (Spaniol) Hughes on May 3rd, 1940.He spent many years during his youth as a resident of a special cottage for mentally-challenged children at St. Cloud Children’s Home, before moving back to his parents’ home. His later years were spent at the Metzger Foster Care Home in St. Augusta, and most recently, St. Benedict’s Senior Community.
Brian’s life was a prayer, spent in gentle service and teaching. He taught family and friends the virtues of love, patience, joy and faith in God. He loved laughter, food, swimming at the lake, playing his harmonica, the Minnesota Twins and straightening his surroundings. Brian was a member of St. Peter’s Parish for many years; he attended services at St. Mary’s Help Of Christians Parish while living in St. Augusta, and he was a client of WACOSA Seniors Program for 10 years.
Brian is survived by his brothers, Kevin (Joanne) Hughes, Keith (Julie) Hughes; sisters, Mary (Tom) Mathews and Sheila Hughes of St. Cloud; 15 nieces and nephews; 29 grand nieces and nephews; his Aunt Eileen Spaniol; and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and grand parents; god parents Charlie and Gert Hughes, grand nephew Peter Cashman, many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Brian’s family thanks the Benedictine and Franciscan Sisters for their care of Brian in his youth; Diane Metzger, her family and foster care residents for 11 years of loving care; the WACOSA Senior Program staff; the medical, support and spiritual care staff at St. Benedict’s Senior Community, and the social workers and hospice professionals who have attended to Brian’s needs with love, skill and compassion.
