Michael J. McHugh, age 73, of Cohasset, a man who never met a rule he couldn’t charm his way around, died peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on Friday, May 22, 2026.

Mike leaves behind the love of his life, his devoted wife, Susan Callaghan. He was the immensely proud father of two adoring daughters, Amy McHugh and her partner, Todd Ellerin of Needham, and Lindsey Fratolillo and her husband, Tom of Braintree, along with their mother, Doreen Harvey of Braintree. Mike is also survived by his grandchildren – Aislin, Emma, Gwen, and Drew – who deeply loved their Grandpa and carry his spirit in their sparkling blue eyes.

Mike was born in Quincy to the late Donald J. and Geraldine M. (Coveney) McHugh. Raised on “Hospital Hill,” he was a graduate of Archbishop Williams High School, class of 1971, where he proudly carried the nickname “Studly,” as he reminded his daughters often, much to their embarrassment. Always a whiz with anything electrical, Mike followed in his father’s footsteps and worked as an electrician at The Boston Globe for 28 years, retiring in 2012 as the Electrical General Foreman. He was a proud member of IBEW Local 103 since 1973. A passionate and talented amateur photographer, his photos were published in The Boston Globe, The Patriot Ledger, Reuters, the Associated Press, and more.

One of eight siblings, Mike was the cherished brother of Donald McHugh of Quincy, Patricia Seidel of Scituate and her late husband, John C. Seidel, DMD, Kathleen Dodwell and her husband Peter of Portsmouth, NH, Steven McHugh and his wife Janet Stoff-McHugh of York, Maine, David McHugh and his wife Elisabeth (Talbot) McHugh of Hingham, James McHugh and his wife Erika (Burns) McHugh of Scituate, and Thomas McHugh and his wife Janet (Parker) McHugh of Scituate. Mike was also loved by dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

For 26 years, Mike was married to his beloved Suzy Q, and together they traveled the world, always in search of their next adventure. They wed in McHugh Creek near Anchorage, Alaska, while beluga whales played in the distance, and promised to love each other until the end of time…and then some. When they weren’t traveling, the ocean was their happy place. They spent many summers in Provincetown Harbor on their boats, Wish Granted and Suzy Q, making lifelong friends and spending long days at the National Seashore with their beloved dogs and the music cranking.

Amy and Lindsey were Mike’s pride and joy. He loved being a father and all that came with it. He never missed a school concert, musical, softball game, or award ceremony, and was always proudly up front with his camera bag, capturing photos in black and white and developing them in his home darkroom. He encouraged his girls to be independent and strong – to explore the world but always remember where they’re from. He always knew what to do in hard situations and was there when his girls needed him, with a piece of advice, a shoulder to cry on, or a joke to lift their spirits. He taught them to love the ocean, reel in a striper, crack a lobster, and find the perfect shells on endless beach walks.

Mike loved a good meal – from Friday night pizza with the Celts on TV to a dozen oysters with a glass of cold champagne to his favorite Montilio’s rum cake, he savored all that life had to offer. From big adventures to small traditions, he had a gift for making everything feel just a little more special. His sense of humor and unmatched storytelling ability will live on through his girls and his grandchildren.

Memorial Visiting Hours will be held at the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Avenue, Quincy, on Wednesday, June 10, from 4 – 7 p.m. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Saint John the Baptist Church, 44 School Street, Quincy, on Thursday, June 11, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

For those who wish, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjude.org.