John Daniel "Dan" McHugh Jr.

John Daniel “Dan” McHugh, Jr., 66, of Marietta, Georgia, and most recently Blairsville, Georgia, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, October 19, 2024. Dan was born June 5, 1958, in Mobile, Alabama, the second of five children of John and Rosanne McHugh. Dan was a proud graduate of Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, where he was awarded the Scholar Athlete in High School for his brains, as well as football, basketball, and track skills. He loved boasting about the fact that his education at Darlington made him smarter than the average bear! Athens, Georgia, was next on Dan’s life journey where he was an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and met the love of his life, Alice Grant. For 41 years they loved, laughed, and celebrated a partnership that was the envy of many. Avid Georgia Bulldog fans, Dan and Alice were known for their lively college football bowl contests that drew hundreds of players every year. They were known for their unwavering passion for UGA football always cheering for the Dawgs with unmatched enthusiasm. Dan held many titles in his life, from son and brother to husband, uncle and friend, but his favorite role was being a father. He loved nothing more than spending time with his children, Hogan, Jackson, and Davin. His face always lit up when he spoke about his boys. He was truly in love with them. Nearing retirement from Engineering Consulting Services (ECS), Dan longed for a quieter life in Blairsville, Georgia, where he and Alice built their dream home. It’s in the mountains where he could relax and enjoy his outdoor passions of fishing, hunting, and golfing. A self-proclaimed “dirt major,” Dan was looking forward to seeing the fruits of his labor in his new yard. Dan lived an authentic life and was a role model of what it meant to be humble, kind and generous toward all. His example and his influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew him and loved him. Dan is survived by his wife Alice, his three sons: Hogan, of Chicago, Illinois; Jackson, of Marietta, Georgia; and Davin of Atlanta, Georgia; grandson Roman (Davin); siblings Lacy Hendricks (Billy), of Canton, Georgia; Jody Henderson (Allen), of Savannah, Georgia; Chris McHugh (Lori), of Ball Ground, Georgia; and Kelly Hays (Rob) of Suwanee, Georgia, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service to honor Dan’s life is planned for Saturday, October 26th at 4:00 p.m. at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home, 180 Church Street NE, Marietta, GA 30064. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The family invites you to wear your best UGA game day Red & Black. A reception will follow the service at The Brickyard, 129 Church Street, Marietta, GA 30060. No flowers by request. Please send donations in Dan’s memory to Darlington School, 1014 Cave Spring Road, Rome, GA 30161. https://www.darlingtonschool.org/Giving/GiveOnline

John Daniel "Dan" McHugh Jr.

June 5, 1958 - October 19, 2024