Calvin D Hughey

Calvin Darrel Hughey was born in Canonsburg, PA to the late Reverend Andrew Alexander Hughey and Alberta May Goeins Hughey. As a child, he lived in several cities throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania including Cincinnati, Youngstown, Toledo and Pittsburgh. It was in Toledo that he met and married his childhood sweetheart, Linda Shuler. He graduated from Jessup P. Scott High School and went on to attend Wilberforce University, University of Toledo, and The University of Pittsburgh where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Philosophy, and a Masters in Counseling Education. Calvin was a man with many skills and talents.

Calvin was an accomplished and respected musician whose talent spanned a variety of genres. He began his musical training in Jr. High School, and in high school was a member of Scott High’s marching band. He also lead a high school band called Calvin Hughey and the Soul Setters, who played several concerts for the school in front of screaming teenage girls. His facility with bass and trumpet allowed him to play with some of the world’s most renowned artists including James Brown, Mavis Staples, and Gladys Knight.  Also well-known in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas, he appeared regularly in all of the city’s major venues, concert halls, churches and festivals, and was known by every Jazz musician in the city. After moving to Pittsburgh in 1971 he played with dozens of the area’s most sought-after Jazz bands and musicians including Roger Humphries, James Johnson II, Walt Harper, Tom Evans, Dr. Kwasi Jayourba. Phillip Russell and the Gospel Traditions, Wantu Wazuri, The Minds Eye, A Hawaiian Band, and many others too numerous to name.  He was referred to by many as “the best bass player in the city!”.

Calvin had several musical accomplishments as a composer and music director as well. He served as Music Director for the Kuntu Repertory Theatre production of "The Lifting" by Frank Hightower. He also wrote the theme song for the TV game show, “Pittsburgh Mania”, and re-scored Gustav Holst’s “The Planets Suite” for The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. He was Band Master at the Salvation Army, Homewood Corps, and was also a vital part of the music ministry at Lincoln Ave. Church Of God and Greater Allen AME for as long as his health permitted.

Calvin had a strong presence in the nonprofit sector in Pittsburgh as well.  He held various positions in numerous agencies, including serving as administrative assistant for  the Negro Education Emergency Drive , director of The Urban League of Pittsburgh's Arthur J. Edmunds Center, Community College of Allegheny County, program coordinator for CCAC's Vocational Improvement Program, and director of Pittsburgh Citi-Corps. He was awarded the 2005 Cornelius Award for dedicated commitment to family, church, and community service.

Calvin had a special way of touching lives, and was loved and respected by many. He was a kind and generous a soft-spoken man serving his church and community. His main passion was for his family.  He poured wisdom and gave all that he had to be a wonderful father.  He was also extremely competitive! He was a master at chess and also enjoyed playing dominoes and checkers. He was relentless when playing Jeopardy with his wife every night at 7pm,  He was known to have an unblockable 3-point shot as well. Calvin was dedicated to his wife Linda of 46 years, and always let her know how much he loved her. Their union has not ended, but will go on in spirit. He loved the Lord and served in The Salvation Army, teaching young adult Sunday School, playing his bass, and helping in any way that he was asked.

Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Dr. Andrew A. Hughey and Alberta Hughey, sister Alberta Laverne Page (Bill), and brother Andrew Raymond Hughey. He leaves to cherish his memory his beautiful and beloved wife Linda, children Joshua Kenyatta Hughey (Felecia), Rebekah Lynn Hughey, David Jonathan Hughey, Christina Marie Hughey, grandchildren Joshua Kenyatta Hughey II, Kayla Marie Bryant, Maia Gabrielle Hughey, Miles Ayinde Hughey, and Eve Rebekah Collymore, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. There are no words to express how profoundly he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.