Allan Joseph Farnum Hughes passed away peacefully on April 3, 2026, at the age of 87, with his wife (Bella), daughter (Lisa), granddaughter (Lauren), and son (Christopher-remotely) by his side. He is survived by his wife (Bella); his children, Lisa Lynch and Christopher Hughes; his daughter-in-law, Amy Hughes; and his grandchildren, Scott Hughes, Lauren Lynch, and Bryan Lynch. He was the last surviving sibling of George and Shirley, and a cherished uncle to Cathy, George, Burt, and Susan. Allan lived a full and meaningful life defined by his devotion to family, service to his country, lifelong curiosity, and deep appreciation for nature and community. He leaves behind a legacy of warmth, loyalty and strength.

Born on September 4, 1938, in Metuchen, New Jersey, Allan was a lifelong member of St. Francis Cathedral Parish, a church his grandfather painted. In his early years, he was active and endlessly curious - working as a swim instructor at the YMCA, participating in a ham radio club, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. His interest in radio led him to serve in the U.S. Army’s First Armored Division, where he helped interpret Morse code messages during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Al was the beloved husband of Bella, his partner and true love for 65 wonderful years. Their enduring marriage was the cornerstone of his life, filled with laughter, learning, and deep companionship. One of their earliest dates took place at Thomas Edison’s laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey, where Al helped Bella study chemistry - an early glimpse of the life they would build together.

In 1979, Al and Bella moved to California, where they embraced the beauty of the coast, especially in Big Sur and Santa Cruz. Known for his intelligence and wide-ranging knowledge - particularly in technology and computing. Al enjoyed participating in a computer club in Scotts Valley with his son, Christopher, during the early years of personal computing with Apple founder Steve Wozniak and others. He loved technology and what it was doing to transform our lives. His passion led him to establish a computer hardware distribution business in Scotts Valley, becoming one of the first major distributors of hard drives for companies like Seagate.

Al retired in 1999 and has since devoted himself to the simple joys he loved most: spending time with family, observing hummingbirds, frogs, and banana slugs at his home near Nisene Marks, and participating in the Astronomy Club of Santa Cruz. He also cherished time at Rio Del Mar Beach with friends, Frank and Stan, and was often seen riding his bike or enjoying the view from the pier. Al took immense pride in his family’s legacy of care, often sharing with anyone who would listen that his wife, daughter, and granddaughter were all nurses.

Al will be remembered for his gentle spirit, steady presence, sharp mind, and deep love for his family and the natural world. His life was one of quiet impact, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.