Patrick “PJ” Joseph Hough was born on October 3, 1939 to Francis and Palma (Ciaraffo) Hough in Dover, New Jersey. He passed away on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 in Sarasota, Florida.
Family
PJ is preceded in death by both of his parents; daughters Mary and Lisa and son Rick. Additionally PJ is survived by his loving wife, Janet (Johnson) Hough, to whom he was married for 60 years; daughter Lauren “Lauri” (Tim) Gill; sister Betty (Steve) Sadow; grandchildren Jessica (Miguel) Borbon, Jason (Ashley) Milliron; great-grandchildren Noah Borbon, Stella Milliron, and Summer Milliron; nieces Pam (Richard) Manzione and daughter Emily, Christine (Kristofer) Krause; nephew Ron (Kim) Meloskie, many other nieces and nephews.
Awards and Decorations
PJ joined the Air Force on June 28, 1957 and received his honorable discharge as a Airmen Second Class on August 15, 1960. He then joined the New Jersey National Guard and served there for 32 years, from 1967 to 1999. He retired in 1999 as a Command Sergeant Major (CSM), the top 1% of all enlisted men. At the time of his retirement PJ was eligible to wear the New Jersey National Guard Medal of Honor, two Armed Forces Reserve Medals, three Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, twenty New Jersey National Guard Merit Awards, four NCO Professional Development Ribbons, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the New Jersey National Guard Governor’s Unit Award and the New Jersey Recruiters Badge on his uniform.
Life
PJ served as a Police Officer with the Randolph Police Department and as a detective with Stanhope Police Department in New Jersey. PJ also served as a volunteer with the Attorney General office in the Seniors versus Crime program which aimed to protect Florida’s seniors from crime. He was also involved in real estate.
Services
A graveside service with military honors provided by the United States Army is scheduled for Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11:00 am at Sarasota National Cemetery. All guests planning on attending should plan to arrive by 10:30.
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
Friends, family, and those who serve with PJ are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Janet and all the family. Uncle Pat lived an honorable and impressive life. He will be very missed. Love, The Krause Family (Christine)
Pat was a very loving and giving man. He would help everyone and anyone in any way he possibly could. He loved his family very much and enjoyed the time spent with them, especially since we moved to Florida. He was a very honorable and honest man as well. We spent 65 years together, and we were best friends as well as spouses. I miss him every minute of every day. Knowing he is in heaven now with our deceased children is my comfort. I’ll always love you, Paddy.
As my sister-in-law, Janet, said Pat was an honorable man. Pat was my older brother that treated me much like the protective older brother. Even during his military travels he always checked in with me to see if I was ok. He was a great husband and father as well. It saddens me that I was unable to get to Florida to see him before he passed. My heart is broken and I will always ask myself why we let so much time fade without seeing each other. May he rest in peace. The memories of all that we shared will never leave me. My best to Janet. She deserves the best as well.
I am so thankful to have known PJ and spent time with him. He was such an honorable person who always tried to help others. He will be greatly missed by the many people who were privileged to know him.
Janet,
So sad to read on my PC the loss of your Pat….I always enjoyed being around him & yourself….He will be missed by all of his Family & Friends….May he Rest In Eternal Peace….Love…Bill Sickles
So sorry for your loss. Prayers and condolences to you and your family..
Janet -My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Pat was a great guy. He will be missed by many. It was my pleasure to know him for so many years
RIP Pat š š š. In my thoughts Janet.
Pat
Sorry to heard about PJ passing š¢Janet and family my he rest in peace
So sorry to learn of your passing. You had a wonderful life and was a wonderful buddy in HS. Condolences to your family.
Dear Janet, Please accept our sincere condolences on Pat’s passing and your loss. Having read his tribute, (had no idea as to his accomplishments) he did “store his treasures in heaven and did not sound the trumpet”. A wonderful legacy. Sixty years. That in itself give testimony to the love and commitment you had for each other and your family. We are so grateful to have been reunited and to have gotten to know Pat. Never saw him without a smile. Love & Hugs, P&G
We are so sorry to hear of Patās passing, he was in our prayers. Janet, your strong faith will help you through this heartache. You will always have all the wonderful memories you shared. Know weāre thinking about you.
Dear Janet, my deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your Darling Pat. He will be remembered as the sweet, funny and caring person he was. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Janet & Family,
I was devastated to come upon Pat’s Obit this morning when I logged on….Pat was a superb gentleman as well as a soldier who gave many years of service to our country….I will miss him very much….My most Sincerest & Deepest Condolences on Your Loss….I will place a donation in his name to Shriner’s Hospital for Children….May Pat Rest In Eternal Peace….Soldier, You Have Earned Your Wings….I Love You Guys Very Much….Bill Sicklesā„ā„ā„
I remember when Janet and I were in high school and we went to the Goody Shop next to the Baker Theater in Dover, NJ. Pat worked there and he always made us rocky road sundaes because he knew that was Janetās favorite. I would catch Pat looking over at Janet just beaming. Janet and Pat were a legend to me. I admired their love for each other. It was great to introduce my husband, Bill, to them. We lived in Florida then and met at Disney World. We had a great time. Janet was on the big roller coaster all by herself. I remember when Janet and I rode the roller coaster at Bertrandās Island at Lake Hopatcong. That was my speed. Janet wanted me to go on that Huge one and I took one look at it and said, Noooo. We saw a movie of her while she was on it and she looked so calm!!!! Thatās a couple of my Janet and Pat memories. Weāll see you again Pat with love. Love you Janet Much!!!
Janet and Pat dancing at their wedding is one of those luminous points in my remembrances of things past.
The obituary is beautiful. I had not known before about Patā (aka P.J.) fine
service to our country.
My deep condolences for the loss of your beloved husband, dear Janet.
Rest in Peace, dear Pat.
Janet and family,
My heart and prayers go out to you in your loss. Janet it is so wonderful you had so many years together and I wish I could have met PJ. May God give you all comfort at this sad time.
Dear Janet,
I am so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. As I live in Florida, I will see you on August 20 at Sarasota National.
My love to you,
Kay Neilley
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY I WAS THE COMMUNICATIONS SFC. IN THE 1ST TANK IN WASHINGTON, NJ PAT AND I WERE NOT ONLY GOOD FRIENDS BUT ALSO MASONIC BROTHERS AND I AM DEEPLY SADDENED TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. HE WAS A GREAT LEADER AND A TRUE SOLDIER AND WILL BE MISSED BY MANY. MAY “GOD” BE WITH YOU AND COMFORT YOU DURING THIS SORROWFUL TIME AND ALWAYS.
HE NOW RESIDES WITH THE GREAT ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE WATCHING OVER US ALL.
I remember Pat from the NJ Nat Guard. He was a fine person.
Dealt with Pat for many years in Guard. It always was a pleasure to do Guard business with him. He was an OUTSTANDING Soldier and a great guy.
RIP Pat, You will be missed but always remembered.
1SG Gerald D. Gowen (Ret)
There are so many memories going all the way back to the Class of ’57 at Dover High School. That’s when we became friends and often sat in the same row in school (H and J). During junior and senior years the Johnson home was always open to our friends and classmates. Of course, back then I didn’t realize that Pat would become part of our family. It was a happy day when he married my wonderful sister and best friend Janet. We were always laughing when Pat was around and that is what I’ll remember. He will be missed.
Janet
I have just heard of your great loss. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Wildwood Crest, NJ
Janet and Family, I was truly saddened when you notified me of PJ’s passing. I have lost an Army brother and a Masonic brother. I will always cherish the time I spent in the Sun City Center Office of Seniors vs Crime with PJ. He was an excellent Manager and had a deep love for our senior citizens. My prayer is that God will hold you and the family in his loving and comforting arms during this time of grief.
Joe Rowland, Retired Director of Region 2 Seniors vs Crime.