Richard Craig Hughes, beloved husband, son, brother, “Peepaw,” and friend, age 64, of Altamonte Springs, formerly of Vero Beach, passed away on Sunday, June 26, 2022.
Rick was born on May 19, 1958, in Willowdale, Ontario, Canada, to Carl Franklin and Ruth Elizabeth Hughes.
Like many Canadian kids, he grew up loving the game of ice hockey. His childhood was not unlike that of the average northerner; skating, tobogganing, and building snowmen all winter long and spending summers at the lake. Rick’s dream was to play for the Toronto Maple Leaf’s, but his hockey career was cut short when his family moved to South Florida, Vero Beach, at age 8.
Rick found many passions in life, motocross racing, running, surfing, mountain biking, inventing, and even becoming a published author of 7 books.
Rick met the love of his life and married Kelly in February of 2005. They moved to Altamonte Springs and created a beautiful life together, sharing the love of Jesus as well as three children, five grandchildren, and one “really awesome” dog, Nala.
Rick devoted most of his entire 30-year career to working in the hospital Central Service Dept., AdventHealth Altamonte Springs, and Indian River Medical Center. Other careers included landscape and golf course maintenance, and a brief time as a diesel mechanic.
Just like his father, Carl, there was not much Rick couldn’t accomplish. Perhaps the most unusual aspect of Rick’s life, however, is the return to his original roots as an ice hockey player, goalie, in none other than his adopted home of Central Florida. Rick earned MVP for his amazing goalie skills and has passed his skating skills and legacy to his grandsons, who adored their “Peepaw.”
Rick and Kelly are members of King’s Chapel, Longwood, Florida.
Rick graduated from IRCC with an Associate’s in Arts and with a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Central Florida.
Rick is survived by his wife, Kelly Hughes; mother, Ruth Moore; brother, Garry (Carol) Hughes; sister, Donna Hughes; daughter, Laura Hughes and granddaughter, Erica Christman with grandson, Bruce Armitage; stepdaughter, Becky (Rick) Stone with grandsons, Remy & Ricky Stone; stepson, Eric (Miranda) Veale with grandsons, Trent & Trevor Veale; nieces, Jennell Harkins and Heidi Hughes; sisters-in-law, Bobbie, Polly, and Terri; brother-in-law, John; cousins, Keith, Joyce, Miccah, and Robin; and Rick’s best friend, John Gillespie.
He was predeceased by his father, Carl Franklin Hughes.
Rick specifically wanted to say he was proud of Tommy and the “Vero Boys.”
Please join us in the Celebration of Rick’s Amazing Life at 1:30 on Friday, July 15th, 2022 at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory. In memory of one of Rick’s favorite pastimes, an ariel scattering at sea near his favorite surfing spot, Monster Hole at Sebastian Inlet will be held at 4 p.m. the same afternoon, weather permitting.