RICHARD J. HUGHES, 71, died on December 21, 2020 after a brief illness. Born on December 11, 1949, Richard was the son of the late Elizabeth Wentworth. Richard enlisted in the United States Army at age 17 and proudly served in the 172nd Engineering Detachment in Vietnam, being Honorably Discharged on July 4, 1969. He was a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. A firearms enthusiast his entire life, he enjoyed being a member of the Holbrook Sportsman's Club. Richard is survived by his beloved wife Mary Ellen, his sons Richard T. Hughes of Carver and Brian J. Hughes and his wife, Anna, of Marshfield. Richard is also survived by his grandchildren, Richard L. Hughes and Lucjan J.M. Hughes, as well as his brothers Charles W. Hughes of Rockland and Kirk Hughes of Santa Fe, New Mexico, his sister Anne of Maine, and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very dear friends, Paul and Jeri Hutchings of Randolph, Donald Sheppard of Brockton, and Gerry Fowles of Hyde Park, whose beloved wife Claire, also recently deceased, Richard is joining in eternity. His brother William ("Billy") Hughes predeceased Richard. A private service with military honors will take place at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.