Jerome M. 'Jerry' Hughes

• 
• 

Hughes, Jerome M. "Jerry" Age 85, of Maplewood, died on June 26, 2015. Born on October 1, 1929. He was an educator, legislator and President of the MN Senate. Passed away peacefully after a brief illness. Preceded in death by his wife Audrey (Lackner); parents Michael and Mae Hughes; sisters Cleo and Patricia; brothers John and Steven. Survived by his sister Maxine (Johnson) Schmidt of Arizona; six children, Bernadine (Bill) Leach, Timothy (Diane Young), Kathleen (Glenn) LaChapelle, Rosemarie (Scott) Hughes Wilhelmy, Margaret (John) Towle, and John K. (Ellen); 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Hughes was elected to the Senate in 1966 and served for 26 years with 5 different Governors. He became chair of the education committee in 1973 and was elected President of the Senate in 1983, a position he would hold - save for during a special session in 1987 - for the remainder of his time in office. He retired from the Senate in 1993. He served on the Elections and Ethics, Education, Finance, and Rules and Administration Committees. He was most proud of his accomplishments with securing the funding and passing legislation to start the first Early Childhood and Family Education programs. He was a teacher, counselor and coach at Monroe and Johnson High Schools, community education administrator, Education and Public Policy Consultant for the St. Paul School District and served as a Graduate Faculty Member at the University of Minnesota. He is a graduate of Cretin High School, class of 1947, received his B.A. from the College of St. Thomas, M.A. from the University of Minnesota and his Doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit. In his own words, "I've had a great life." In his children's words, "Dad taught us how to live and how to die, with great character, graciousness and dignity. He was a class act. We are blessed to have had him for our father." Mass of Christian Burial 2 PM TOMORROW Wednesday, July 1st at Church of the Assumption (51 W. 7th St., St. Paul). Visitation 4-8 PM TODAY Tuesday, June 30th at Roseville Memorial Chapel (2245 Hamline Ave. N., Roseville 651-631-2727) and also one hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Jerome and Audrey Hughes Endowed Scholarship in Graduate Education Fund at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul.

Published on June 30, 2015