James F. "Jim" Hughes

James “Jim” F. Hughes, age 86, of Clifton Park, entered eternal life on March 12, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born on September 18, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York, to the late James and Irene Hughes, Jim served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1960 as a Radioman Second Class. After an honorable discharge, he graduated from the New York State Police Academy in 1961 and spent the next twenty years as a New York State Trooper. He retired in 1981 and was elected Town Justice in Clifton Park in 1982, serving in that role until 2025. While working full time, he continued his education, earning an A.A.S. in Police Science from HVCC in 1971 and a B.S. in Criminal Science from Russell Sage College in 1973. In 1984 he enrolled at Albany Law School, graduating and passing the bar in 1987. He then practiced law for the next 38 years. Early in his career he was stationed on the eastern tip of Long Island before transferring upstate to Clifton Park in 1967, a town he proudly called home for the rest of his life.

A lifelong fitness enthusiast, Jim was an avid runner who completed marathons and maintained a devoted morning workout routine at the local YMCA. He cherished his two cats, Kitty and Tweety, and enjoyed his daily coffee with friends at Stewart’s. He often said his greatest pride was his service as a State Trooper, while his biggest regret was never allowing himself hobbies or true relaxation.

Jim was preceded in death by his daughter Christine, whom he cherished, and his sisters Irene Randazzo and Adeline O’Connor. He is survived by his son Michael and daughter-in-law Sheryl; grandsons James and Michael; sister Patricia Kitson; his wife (separated) Elaine Hughes; his partner of twenty-four years, Donna Miranda; and many loving nieces and nephews.