Charles Hughes with his wife Mary

Charles Hughes, a lovely man who lived and practiced dentistry in Garden City for decades, died on April 23rd at age 86. Born on October 7, 1920, Charles, a.k.a. Chuck, grew up on Staten Island and at age 16, he entered New York University, from which he received both his undergraduate and dental school degrees.

During World War II, Chuck served as an army dentist in El Paso, Texas, where he met Mary, his wife of 61 years. The couple began their married life in Levittown, then moved to Garden City, where they lived for 50 years and met many wonderful friends, including Bill and Betty Hinman.

At a small memorial gathering of family and friends, the warm consensus was that Chuck was a real gentleman, with an emphasis on the "gentle". An avid and talented woodworker, bridge player and golfer, Chuck also loved bird watching and animals in general and always took great delight in the beauties of nature and the simple things of life.

Chuck is survived by his wife Mary, who now lives at the Bristal in East Meadow, and by his sons Bob and Richard, grandchildren Rob and Kat, daughter-in-law Betsy, and sister-in-law Janice Cole and family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association would be greatly appreciated.