Gerald T. Hughes, Retired N.J. State Trooper, Dies At 83

Courtesy of Layton's Home for Funerals

Gerald T. 'Jerry' Hughes, retired state trooper, private investigator, lifelong athlete and sports fan passed away peacefully on Nov. 17, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. He was 83.

Jerry graduated from Dickinson High School in 1952; the New Jersey State Police Academy in 1963; and the Keeler Polygraph Institute, Chicago, in 1974. He was a State Trooper in the New Jersey State Police for 25 years, and retired as a detective sergeant first class. Following his departure from the State Police, Jerry was employed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as an investigator, then founded his own private investigation firm, First Class Investigations.

Jerry is survived by Ruth Hughes, his loving wife of 62 years; son, Gerald and daughter-in-law, Jane, of Brookline, Mass.; daughter, Anne Marie Jakositz and son-in-law, Joseph, of Lanoka Harbor, N.J.; daughter, Karen Hughes of Forked River, N.J.; son, Thomas Hughes and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth, of West Orange, N.J.; and daughter, Kathleen Biele and son-in-law, Robert, of Forked River, N.J.; 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Gabriel Hughes and sister-in-law, Lillian; brother, James Hughes and sister-in-law, Dorothy; and sister, Clare Flannery. Jerry was predeceased by brothers, Joseph, Frank, George and John, and sisters Thecla, Mary, Winifred, and Rita.

Jerry was born on Sept. 14, 1934, in Jersey City, N.J., to parents Dolores and Francis X. Hughes. He was a lifelong resident of New Jersey, living in Carteret, Forked River, Verona and, most recently, Whiting. He also maintained a summer residence in Cape May, N.J. Jerry was deeply involved with his large, extended family and enjoyed sports throughout his life. He was a tremendous high school and semi-professional baseball and basketball player, and continued playing softball and bowling well into his 70s.

Visitation will be Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Layton's Home For Funerals, Forked River, N.J. Relatives and friends may arrive at the funeral home at 9 a.m. Tuesday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Church of Saint Pius X, Forked River. Entombment will follow at Saint Joseph's Cemetery, Toms River, N.J. For additional information or to leave condolences for the family, please visit www.laytons.net. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Mercy Home for Boys and Girls 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Ill. 60607 would be appreciated.

Photo: Patch file photo