The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-27
lRY THE OUT EASTERl


 terbury die, we become interested, as we should, we think, by reason of the life they led during their activ- ity in and about the streets of the city. It is this motive, which prompts us to write something about the late William J. Hughes, who died and was buried during the past week.
 Old Out East knew him, although he was born in the Abrigador. The family was well-known among the residents of Pleaant, Ridge and Baldwin streets, in a day when it was all Irish up around these places, along with Carmen and Bergin streets, to the east of old Ridge street. The Hughes lived in Carmen street. Billy Hughes was short in statute and thin years ago, but rounded into weight somewhat dur ing the latter years of his life. In his prime, he mixed quite a lot with group of the best dressed young men in town. We recall his presence with the old choir of the Church of the Sacred Heart as choir mem Der first, and later as a tenor soloist. We remember some of the other male members, such as the late Cor nelius and Michael Maloney, pub- fishers of The Democrat, Ed Ma loney of the reportorial staff of The Democrat, Jimmy Strong, M. J. Daly, Robert Dow, and Michael J.. McEvoy. And what church choir? Noted and recognized as the best in the city, people from all parts of the town, Catholic and non- Catholic flocked weekly to attend service and listen to the wonderful choir and individual singing of the most difficult Mass music in
 Entertaining Fellow
 the church calendar.
 Willie Hughes, an entertaining young fellow, was then an insur- ance canvasser, along with two other young men, named Sheehan and Mahan. These three were always smartly dressed, high silk hats, canes, and frock coats. It was the dress of the time, along with the famed Ascot tie, high collar and stiff white shirt, with separated white cuffs hanging and plainly observed at each sleeve. My but how they swung those well polished canes. There was dash and splendor to the trio that fingered in the memory of the younger lot looking on dur ing all of these years. And then, as the years passed, some of us got to know MT. Hughes, the only one of the three we have men tioned.
 And the strange part of 1t is, our first meeting was in Dan Hart's place of business in Bank street, where we found Billy back of the bar with Frank Loud, and Peter Maher serving drinks the insurance business, he didn't like, and gave it up to do as we have stated. But Hart's was fashionable place; it's patrons were mostly well known businessmen, and the skilled trades men of the city. Gentlemen of the old school were there, mixing with some of the best people we have ever known.
 Our impression is, however, he didn't stay long. Knowing some thing about the watch trade, we found him later with the Waterbury Clock company, and still later, or almost up to the time of his death, with the machine branch of the American Brass Company on Freight street.
 In the hey-day of various clubs Of the city, Willie Hughes was a member of the Acme organization and also the Union club on North Main street, body of men made up of individuals, outside the sphere and background of the exclusive and particular Waterbury club. Mem bersnip here was mostly confined to the manufacturer, and ones geneal- o2y. They used to say that, any way.
 Old Clubs of the City r Years ago, Waterbury had many amateur entertainments. conducted by the Acmes, the old Company G of the Connecticut National Guard and the Sacred Heart choir. There were others, of course, but it was these affairs which interested the Irish, and their families. Some of the Gilbert and Sullivan light operas, such as Pinafore and the Mikado were presented with MT. Hughes in the cast. Full of life, somewhat of wit, Willie Hughes was most entertaining company. His heavy laugh made one feel good and glad to be about where he was Willing to help in any way. he took his manuscript and studied dili- gently until he had his part fully rehearsed. There was never a