Rev. Hugh Joseph McGuigan, OSFS, (1953-2024)
Rev. Hugh Joseph McGuigan, OSFS, (1953-2024)
With sadness, but with faith in the Resurrection, we announce that our brother, Rev. Hugh J. McGuigan, OSFS, passed away at the age of 71 on Saturday, November 23, 2024. He was a professed member of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for 50 years and a priest for 27 years. A teacher, principal, administrator, and pastor, Fr. McGuigan was a dedicated Oblate and priest.
Born in Philadelphia on January 11, 1953, he was the son of Hugh A. McGuigan and Jean (Thomas) McGuigan. He attended Nativity BVM parish school in the Port Richmond section of the city. In 1971, “Hughie” graduated from Northeast Catholic High School where he was a leader in student government and a star on the track and cross-country team. His spirit of generosity was evident even in high school. He was one of Fr. Herman Buckley’s dedicated altar servers at Sacred Heart Cancer Home in Philadelphia. He would later say that this experience planted the seed for his religious vocation.
After leaving North, Hughie joined the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and made his First Profession of vows in 1974. He went on to earn an associate of arts degree in business management from Cecil Community College and joined the staff of Father Judge High School in Northeast Philadelphia in 1979. Hugh made his Perpetual Profession as a religious brother in 1982 and became the Associate Director of Athletics at Judge. After ten years at Father Judge, Brother Hugh moved to Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, PA to serve as Athletic Director.
In 1990, Brother Hugh got his first taste of the sunshine and spirit of Florida when he was assigned to Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers. Brother Hugh served as the Assistant Dean of Students. During this time, Brother Hugh was instrumental in founding the Oblate vacation home (Salesian Sands) in Fort Myers Beach. Years later, he would be named the administrator of the residence. After a year of hard work, building relationships, and discerning the next steps in his vocation journey, Brother Hugh returned to Pennsylvania to complete his studies at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales (now DeSales University) in Center Valley, PA.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Allentown, Hugh pursued theological studies at the DeSales School of Theology in Washington, DC, and was ordained a priest on May 31, 1997, at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Wilmington, Delaware.
Following ordination, Father Hugh was assigned to Bishop Verot High School as Dean of Students. Fr. Hugh became principal of Verot in 2000 and stayed in the education apostolate for three more years. As principal, Father Hugh was considered a “role model for the faculty and the students he served.” He strengthened the Salesian presence and spirituality at the school.
When he left Verot in 2003, the School Superintendent of the Diocese of Venice wrote that Father Hugh “left a lasting mark on our diocesan school system.”
After serving at Verot for six years, Father Hugh was asked by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales to work with the late Fr. Angelo Maraldo, OSFS, at Our Lady of Light Parish, in Fort Myers. A year later, Father Hugh was named the pastor of Our Lady of Light Catholic Community.
During his two decades at Our Lady of Light, Father Hugh served the people of Southwest Florida (and the many visitors) selflessly with Salesian devotion and optimism. Parishioners spoke of Father Hugh as a hard worker who was always available. Many commented on the comfort, support, and care that he offered to those who were struggling in any way.
Father Hugh was a regular presence at the Life Care Center of Estero where he visited the sick, brought the sacraments to those in need, and celebrated Mass. Father Hugh continued his ministry to young people both in the parish and at nearby Florida Gulf Coast University in Lee County.
Everyone Father Hugh met appreciated his love of God and his love for the Philadelphia Eagles. One member of the parish said he will always remember Father Hugh riding around the church campus in his golf cart decorated with Eagles bumper stickers.
Father Hugh is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John. He is survived by his brothers and sisters, his nieces and nephews, his parish family, and his Oblate confreres.
May Our Lady of Light lead Father Hugh into paradise and may he rest in peace.
Arrangements:
The funeral services for Father Hugh begin on Thursday, December 5 at Our Lady of Light Parish, Fort Myers, FL. Reception of the Body will be at the church at 4:00 p.m. followed by Evening Prayer (Office for the Dead.) Visitation is from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, December 6 at Our Lady of Light Parish. There will be another visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m.
On Saturday, December 14, there will be a Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish in Elkton, MD. Burial follows at the Oblate Cemetery in Childs, MD.
Condolences may be sent to Fr. Hugh’s brother:
Mr. Pat McGuigan
38 Rotterdam East
Holland, PA 18966