“Together, Lou and Carol defied the odds and overcame all obstacles to build their lasting legacy: a family of five children, eighteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Lou faced tragedy early in life when his father passed away, leaving him as the 14-year-old eldest of his three siblings. This loss set Lou on a path of resiliency and grit that would define him until his last days.

“With Carol by his side, Lou grew into a man of strength, both in body and spirit, never shying away from life’s toughest challenges. Lou’s journey was never one of shortcuts. He worked full-time while attending college, raising his young family alongside Carol and paying his way through Union College — a true testament to his perseverance. One of his proudest accomplishments was helping build the Northway Bridge that spans the Mohawk River. It became a family tradition to point out the bridge whenever his grandchildren crossed it, with prideful exclamations of ‘Our Papa built that!’

“Lou’s professional journey began with his dream job at IBM, setting the stage for a fruitful career in technology and business that spanned five decades. He worked at renowned firms such as Solomon Brothers, Equitable and Sanders Associates, embodying the very essence of a dedicated company man. While excelling in business, he never lost his sense of right and wrong. He was unwavering in his integrity, choosing to do what was right even when it was neither financially nor politically advantageous. Lou put the “ethic” in “work ethic,” and that legacy will live on in the lives of all who knew him.

“Ultimately, what people will remember most about Lou was his devotion to Carol. From Elmira to Schenectady to Delmar to Middletown to Fairfield, they defied the odds and got through all of life’s ups and downs together. Most notably, when Carol was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s a decade ago, Lou remained steadfast. He overcame big falls, broken bones, strokes and multiple bouts of cancer to be by his bride’s side for as long as he could. Their love story remains an inspiration to all of us who were blessed to witness it.”

Loved ones of Lou Hughes Jr. in his obituary