OBIT: Robert Vincent HUGHES, 1935, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Laura Carrier McQuaid mcquaid@countryilink.net May 17, 2006, 8:05 pm Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ HEART ATTACK IS FATAL TO ATHLETE Robert V. Hughes, Aged 48, of 817 Fourth Avenue, Dies Suddenly In Car Shop Paint Shop Suffering a sudden heart attack just a few minutes before 7 o'clock this morning in the car shop paint shop, Robert V. Hughes, aged 48, of 817 Fourth avenue, well known local shop clerk, died at 7:10 o'clock this morning before medical treatment could be secured. The attack occurred as he walked through the pain shop toward the shop office, where he was employed as a clerk, coincidentally with clerical duties at the general shop offices at Second street. The Altoona hospital ambulance was called but death occurred before the vehicle arrived. The hospital physicians announced that death resulted from a heart attack. Coroner Chester C. Rothrock concurring in the verdict on arrival at the shop a little later. Mr. Hughes had not complained of any illness. A brother died of exactly almost under identical circumstances. Robert Vincent Hughes was born on May 6, 1887, in Oil City, but had been located in Altoona for the past twenty years. He was united in marriage with Miss Helen Ivory of this city, who preceded him in death. Mr. Hughes resided at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Martha Myers. Surviving are only three brothers. Edward and James of Oil City and John of Oklahoma. He was a member of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. The body may be viewed at the home. Mr. Hughes was widely known as a baseball player. He played on the lots at Oil City, his home prior to entering St. Bonaventure, where he pitched for the varsity team. His battery mate at the college was Rev. Father John E. O'Connor, rector at St. Leo's Church. Later he pitched for the Jamestown, N.Y., team, then the Erie team of the Inter-State league, with a year being spent at the Zanesville, O., in the Ohio & Pennsylvania league. He came to Altoona during the days of the Pennsy Clerks league playing twilight ball at the Cricket field. He affiliated with the Car Shop team and helped in several championships. He retired from baseball some years ago. He was a left hander. June 1935 Altoona newspaper clipping _________________________________________ ROBERT V. HUGHES The days of twilight baseball at the Cricket field, as sponsored by the Pennsylvania Railroad, were recalled yesterday by the sudden passing of Robert V. Hughes, veteran pitcher for the car shop, many time champions, who expired unexpectedly in the car shop yards from a heart attack. Bob, as he was known to all baseball fans, came to Altoona after pitching at Jamestown, N.Y., Erie, Pa. and Zanesville, O., and he entered the Car Shop Clerks league lineup not only as a pitcher, but also as a fielder, due to his good hitting. He performed in the twilight leagues for six years, retiring from baseball in 1920. Altoona's leading ball players composed the Clerks league at the time of his coming to this city and his arrival here marked the era when stellar players were attracted to Altoona to feature in the baseball program sponsored by the railroad company. Bob Hughes had many friends who will mourn his passing. 1935 Altoona newspaper clipping This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/