Obituary of Mortimer Moore Hughes

OBITUARY Mortimer M Hughes, 92, of Erma; World War II POW, farmer, and "AJ Meerwald" Shipwright; passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 28, 2012. Mort was born, raised, and educated in Green Creek, NJ. He was a lifetime resident of Cape May County. As a young man, he farmed and was a waterman working on the Delaware Bay. He never lost his love of farming. In 1944, during World War II, Mort married Mildred Ruth Keeler of West Cape May. They were married for 59 years before her passing in 2003. Soon after marrying, Mort enlisted in the US Army where he served in the Seventh Armored Division. He fought in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge, where he was taken prisoner. Mort was held in a German Prisoner of War Camp until he was liberated near the war's end. For his military service, Mort was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Service Award, and the Prisoner of War Medal, among others. At the war's conclusion, he returned to Cape May County, again as a farmer, and later as a shipwright at Tony's Marine Railway in Cape May. After his retirement, he became one of the first volunteers helping to restore an old Delaware Oyster Schooner the "AJ Meerwald". Now it is New Jersey's official "tall ship" and an integral part of the Bayshore Discovery Project at Bivalve. Throughout his life, Mort was a "Jack of all Trades"; but if anyone where to ask, he would refer to himself as a "farmer". His pole beans were legendary. Mort is survived by his three children: his son Charles J Hughes Sr. & his wife Frances; his daughter Suzanne Benoit & her husband Gordon; and his daughter Peggy Vanderwende. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandson, and his sister Alice Mae Watson. Mort was a proud member of the South Jersey Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and the American Ex-prisoners of War of Cape May County. There will be a funeral service at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 3, 2012 at the Evoy Funeral Home, 3218 Bayshore Rd, North Cape May, NJ 08204; where friends will be received from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Cold Spring Cemetery, 780 Seashore Rd, Cold Spring, NJ 08204. The family suggests donations in Mortimer's memory to the Bayshore Discovery Project, 2800 High Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349; or to a veteran's organization of your choosing. To share condolences, please visit www.evoyfuneralhome.com.