Hugh Mehaffie, Jr.

Hugh Frederick Mehaffie, Jr., passed away in the early hours of January 1, 2025. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and the waitstaff at What Not Inn. He was a kind, caring, and loyal man who thoroughly enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. Hugh had a playful sense of humor and laughed easily. Hugh and his wife of 61 years, Connie, loved the glorious sunsets over Lake Michigan together. He had many long special friendships, especially with Ted Emerson. Hugh and Ted met in 8th grade and have enjoyed a weekly Friday lunch since 1962. Also dear to his heart was his monthly dinners with the Argonauts.

He is survived by a half bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin and his wife Connie; daughter Betsy Capelli, her husband Craig, and their daughters Katie and Ashley; daughter Amy Schalk, her husband Todd, and their son Aidan; son Fred Mehaffie and his wife Ashley Malcolm; and son George Mehaffie, his wife Val, and their children Nathan and Jocelyn.

He worked with his father at the Bond Supply Company after getting his master's degree from the University of Michigan and took over when his father retired. He was involved in plumbing trade organizations and enjoyed traveling to their conventions. Hugh retired in 1998 and took up jewelry and furniture making and volunteered at the Gilmore Car Museum. He was active in various foundations, including the Park Club Historic Foundation, the Hugh and Constance Mehaffie Foundation, and the George and Amy Monroe Foundation.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy or the Kalamazoo Humane Society.