Thomas M. Hughes

Thomas M. Hughes, age 67, of Northville, passed away suddenly on May 10, 2021 after a short, two-week battle with Acute Leukemia. He was born on April 16, 1954 in Detroit, Michigan; son of Francis J. and Mary E. (nee Sporman) Hughes. Tom graduated from Redford High School, class of 1972. He was united in marriage to Yvonne M. Martoia on August 26, 1978; spending over 42 years devoted to each other and the family they built together.

Tom was the owner and operator of Custom Sprinklers, Inc, a local Northville business he successfully led since 1980. Tom was known by all as the hardest working man around. He took tremendous pride in building relationships with his customers by treating everyone with respect, loyalty, and integrity.

For all that knew Tom, you knew that his greatest joy in life was his family and friends. He never left a conversation without sharing how proud he was of his kids and how lucky he was to have Yvonne. A father and husband that was present & engaged, always. He loved teasing his grandkids; Papa, as they called him, spoiled them with love, affection, and treats. Tom’s morning ritual was a cup of coffee on his porch admiring the sanctuary of a yard he had poured his heart into creating. He enjoyed playing golf, good conversation, and spending time with the best of friends, Tom was the life of every party. His family best describes him as the softest “tough guy”, the kind of man that took the saying “give the shirt off his back to a complete stranger” to heart. Tom was an honest, genuine, kind, giving, bullheaded, and loving husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend. To know him was to love him and to be loved by him. Quite simply, he touched the lives of all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife Yvonne; his children, Tommy (Maggie) Hughes, Jr., Allison Hughes, Sean Hughes, Bridget (Kevin Eberstein) Hughes, and Kimberly Hughes; his grandchildren, Jonny, Avery, Molly, and Jackson; and his siblings, Mary (Jim) Huber, Skip Hughes, Kathy Hughes, Patti (Jim) Kramer, Bobby Hughes, and Theresa (Brian) McClure. Tom is also survived by many extended family members, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A private funeral mass will be held due to COVID limitations. A livestream of the funeral mass will begin on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 11am at olvnorthville.org. An outdoor celebration of Tom’s life will be held Friday, May 14, 2021 at Tom’s home away from home, Northville Hills Golf Club, located at 15565 Bay Hill Drive, Northville, MI. This memorial visitation will be held from 2 pm until 7 pm to celebrate his life and share the impact he had on all of us. As many of you know, Tom fought a grueling battle with COVID that began on Thanksgiving of last year. Out of respect for each other, and his memory, masks are required for the memorial visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Northville Township Firefighters Charity Fund , 45745 W. Six Mile, Northville, MI 48168.

Please click here for a video of the funeral mass for Tom.