Hugh W. Dalzell, 102, of Kearny passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family and friends on Thursday, January 18.

The funeral will be from the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018 at 9:00 a.m.  A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Cecilia Church, Kearny at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ. Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the funeral home on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Born in Belfast, Ireland, Hughie lived in Kearny since arriving in the United States in 1927.  He married Winifred Cahill in 1945, and together they had four children.  He worked for New Departure Hyatt Bearings Division of General Motors as a line supervisor until retiring in 1974.

Hughie was active in local civics and in his church.   He managed campaigns for several town council candidates, and was named the Democratic Party’s Man of the Year in 1995.  He was honored as a Hudson County Senior of the Year in 2011.  He was the founding Cubmaster of Pack 34, a job he held for nine years.  He was honored by the United Irish Associations of West Hudson as Deputy Grand Marshall of the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 2006.  

Hughie worked tirelessly for Saint Cecilia Church and for the Holy Name Society.  He was a long-time bingo worker, trustee, very long-time usher, and worked on numerous buildings and grounds projects.  He was the first president of the parish council.  He supervised the parish carnival into his 90’s.  He was honored by the parish Holy Name Society as their Man of the Year in 1970, and by the Essex-West Hudson Federation of Holy Name Societies for exceptional service in 2005.  He was also a Knight of Columbus for 80 years.

Hughie avoided the spotlight.  He declined offers to run for town council, and preferred to serve in the back of the church, rather than in the sanctuary as a lector or Eucharistic minister.

Hughie drove golf balls and his car into his 90’s.

Hughie was predeceased by his beloved wife Winifred; his sister Mary Ellen; his brothers Samuel, Matthew, and John; and by his son-in-law Tom Grant; and his granddaughter Karen Guziejewski.  His memory will be honored by son Donald; son Gerald and his wife Beverly; daughter Lori Dalzell-Grant; and daughter Linda Guziejewski and her husband Stanley.  Hugh left his impact on his grandchildren: Meghan Grant Knab and her husband John; Adam Guziejewski and his wife Shannon; Matthew Dalzell; Cian Dalzell and his wife Amanda; and Brian Grant; as well as many nephews and nieces.  His two young great-grandchildren, Bridget Dalzell and Luke Knab, will learn of the legacy they were born into.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Saint Cecilia Church or to Saint Cecilia Church’s food pantry.

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