Stephen P. Hughes

Stephen “Keemo” Patrick James Hughes, 62, died Saturday, February 15, 2025, at his home in Stoughton, after a long courageous battle with cancer. Born in Manchester, England, he grew up in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Stephen passed the school selection exam to gain a scholarship to St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon where he attended secondary school. Stephen continued his education at Castlereagh College in Belfast, graduating in 1983 with a degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies.

In 1988, he came to the United States where he played Gaelic football for St. Columbkille’s GAA club and later joined the Irish Village Soccer Club where he played, managed and mentored at all levels.

In 1995, he started working at the Parkway YMCA in West Roxbury where he worked as a swim coach, swim instructor, lifeguard and eventually the Aquatics Director. During this time he touched so many lives in and out of the pool.

In 2015, Stephen pursued a second career as a licensed massage therapist. He worked at Inman Oasis in Cambridge, Body and Soul in Salem and FeitheOg in West Roxbury.

In 2017, he married Darcie Leah Gagné, and together they enjoyed almost 8 years of marriage. During that time, they traveled as often as they could whether it be a road trip to Portsmouth or a flight across the pond to Ireland.

Stephen is survived by his loving wife, Darcie Leah (Gagné) Hughes and their staffordshire mix, Bestie of Stoughton; his son, Kyle Patrick Hughes of Boston; his sister, Denise Hughes-Mulhall and her husband Canice of London; Elaine Hughes of Cookstown; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and in-laws. He is also survived by his mother, Margaret (McCaffrey) Hughes of Cookstown and predeceased by his father, Patrick Hughes of Dungannon.

Stephen was a proud supporter of Manchester United, Dungannon Swifts and Tyrone GAA.

He was also a supporter of a good white russian, a Corona with lemon or a Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, February, 21, 2025 at the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St., (Rte. 27) Stoughton from 3-7 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Oscar Romero Church, 700 Washington St., Canton at 10:30 AM. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canton. Donations in Stephen’s memory can be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute or the cancer charity of your choice.