Hugh Owen VanOoteghem

May 2, 1946 – October 4, 2023

Living a life filled with love, Hugh died peacefully in his sleep at home.  He is survived by his wife, Peggy, his daughter, Michelle Wooddell, his step-daughters, Rene' (Jason) and Michelle (Nico),  his grandchildren, Owen, Tristan, Aleksey, Sasha, Lucy and Celia, and his siblings, Steve (Sue) VanOoteghem,  Kathy (Fred) Jex, Camille VanOoteghem, and Nellie (Dave) Mitchell.

Hugh was the son of Helen (Horvat) and Hugh VanOoteghem. He was a standout athlete at Sacred Heart High School where he starred on the football, basketball and baseball teams. After high school, he joined his father and older brother at Ford Motor Company, working 38 years until he retired from Ford Motor Credit.  In 1971, he married Judy Renaud and in 1974, welcomed his only child, Michelle.

In 1994, he married Peggy Howe, and began a loving partnership that would span decades and ensured his happiness until his death.

Not one to stay retired, Hugh continued to work even after leaving Ford – in fact he was working up until the day he passed.  In his later years, he took joy in completing crossword puzzles with his wife and daughter, supporting his grandchildren as they grew into adulthood, and enjoying peaceful evenings with his wife and beloved dog, Sophie.

Throughout his life, Hugh was an avid sportsman, from recreational softball and hockey to fishing and basketball.  His kind and generous nature were evident in everything he did; truly he will be missed by all those who knew him.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Hugh do so by making a charitable donation to a charity of your choice.

Hugh's Celebration of Life Service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 14th  at the Dearborn Location of the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. 22546 Michigan Ave. Dearborn 48124.