Hugh Herbert Shilliday, age 84, of Lake Placid, Florida, passed away Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
Born April 11, 1940 in Monroe, Hugh was the son of Ivan and Marjorie "Peg" (Watkins) Shilliday. He was a 1958 graduate of Monroe High School, where he played football and tennis. Hugh then attended Michigan State University, where he also played tennis, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Geology in 1962. He went on to then attend Eastern Michigan University where he achieved a master's degree in School Guidance Counseling in 1965. In this time, he married Maria Elena Knowles on August 26, 1961; sadly she preceded him in death February 16, 2004. Hugh and Maria moved to Ida where he taught chemistry and physics at Ida High School until 1965 when he took on the role of guidance counselor. Hugh also taught drivers education and was the defensive football coach for the school for over 30 years. He retired from Ida High School in 1999.
Hugh was a lifetime member of the Free and Accepted Masons Monroe Lodge 27. He was also a member of the National Education Association, Michigan Education Association, Ida Education Association, and Monroe County Counselors Association. Hugh was a member of Ida United Methodist Church.
In 2023 Hugh moved to Florida full time. He made many friends there and spent his spare time by the pool, fishing, playing poker, and playing bingo. He was forever a Michigan State University Spartan fan.
Hugh is survived by his three children, Brad H. Shilliday of Austin, TX, Chad I. (April) Shilliday of Novi, MI, and Kara E. (Robert) Schrader of Williamston, MI; six grandchildren, Maxwell (Ashlea) Shilliday, Malcolm Shilliday, Ronan Shilliday, Samantha Schrader, Ethan Schrader, and Logan Shilliday; and his partner Sharon Sprague.
In addition to his wife Maria, he is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 2 P.M. until 6 P.M. with a Masonic Service at 5 P.M. at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe. The funeral service officiated by Rev. Dean Prentiss will be held at 1 P.M. Monday, February 3, 2025.
In lieu of flowers the family would like memorial donations to go to Gabby's Grief Center or Ida United Methodist Church.