An Armagh man who suffered a serious injury while working in the US in December has tragically passed away in hospital.
Sean Hughes, who travelled over to Philadelphia from Allistragh almost six years ago, had been in hospital since his accident on December 11, 2020.
Sean, along with his wife Emily and son Sean Paul had made a home for themselves Stateside. It is there his family from Co. Armagh came and stayed by his bedside as he fought valiantly.
There were moments of hope as he continued his recovery over the last six months.
However, in the last update on the family’s GoFundMe page, towards the end of April, Sean had suffered a setback.
“Sean was being cared for in rehab and had been making some good improvements, he could open his left eye slightly, follow some commands such as lift your arm or leg and he could recognise voices when spoken too,” it read.
“Unfortunately that all came to a stand still as he took fluid on the brain and was taken back to Christiana hospital in Delaware. Here he was treated for infection and had a permanent shunt put in to drain away the fluid from his brain.
“Sean, being the strong, stubborn and much loved man he is, has fought back once again and is now back in rehab doing his best to pick up where he left off. He is a legend of a man with a strong heart who continues to make progress even with all that is thrown at him.”
Sean Hughes with wife Emily and son Sean (2)
Sadly, eight weeks on, Sean lost his brave fight.
A funeral notice said Sean passed away peacefully in hospital in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Beloved husband of Emily, daddy of Sean-Paul, son of Paul, Majella, brother of Eoin, Ciaran, Darragh,
Grandson of Kevin, Gemma Hughes, Sheila and the late Kevin Loughran Clady Co.Armagh.
Sean’s funeral will take place later with further arrangements published when they become available.
Young Irelands GAA Club Philadephia, for which Sean was a member, commented: “We are a club in mourning today as our good friend, and player Sean Hughes has passed.
“We pray for Sean now as he is at peace. We send our deepest condolences to his wife, Emily, his son, baby Sean and his parents, Paul and Majella, his brothers and entire Hughes family.”
Also paying tribute, Sean’s boyhood club Pearse Og, posted: “Na Piarsaigh Óga committee and members are saddened to learn of the passing of our former Senior footballer Seán Hughes.
“Seán was a brilliant wee footballer, a real team player and blessed with natural ability. Like many an Ógs player before him he had emigrated to America for work.
“These last few months all at Pearse Óg had been praying for his full recovery and are truly devastated by this sad news. We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to his wife Emily and to their son Seán Paul, his parents Paul and Majella Hughes, his brothers Eoin, Ciaran and Darragh and also to the wide family circle. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís.”
