Hugh Tully   Obituary Guest Book 24 entries | 1 photo "I am deeply devestated to hear our beloved Dr. Tully has..." - Wendy Lamothe(Vincent) The Guest Book is expired. Restore the Guest Book     BROOKFIELD — Hugh M. Tully, Ed. D., 64, of Brookfield, passed away on Feb. 23, 2012 at Coliseum Hospital in Macon, Ga.

He was born on Sept. 21, 1947 in New York, N.Y., the son of Hugh J. and Grace (Glynn) Tully. He graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 1969, received his master's degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1980 and his doctorate in education from Boston University in 1989.

He was a member of Mensa for several years and was winner of the Scrabble Championship at the 1994 annual Mensa gathering. He also produced and directed various short films and plays throughout his life.

His teaching career began in Ashford, Conn., followed by a short time at Berlin Catholic Schools. While in Berlin he was a member of the Townsmen Band in which he played bass. He then landed at Somersworth Schools where he taught for 33 years, retiring in 2010. A well-loved teacher, he was inducted into Who's Who in Education for several years. He established the Somersworth Music Boosters and a long-term endowment fund for the support of the Somersworth music program.

Survivors include his daughter, Andrea Dubuc and her husband Paul Dubuc of Tuftonboro; son, Alexander Tully of Nashua; and his grandsons, Jacob Hugh Dubuc and Zachary Paul Dubuc. Other survivors include his former wife, Leslie Dungan; his niece, Melinda Boden Supp and various other nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; sisters, Marilyn Tully Ward and Carol Ann Tully.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Lord Funeral Home, Wolfeboro, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hugh M. Tully Endowment Fund c/o Matthew Legarde, Music Director, Somersworth High School, 17 Memorial Drive, Somersworth, N.H.

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Death of Somersworth music teacher prompts many memories, stories shared
By AMANDA BELAND Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Click image to enlarge

Monika O'Clair/Democrat file photo A line of people wait to talk with Dr. Hugh Tully during his retirement party at Somersworth High School in 2010.

SOMERSWORTH — When Dr. Hugh Tully gave you the "eyebrow" — the swift arching of the hair above just one of his eyes — you know you were toeing the line of his patience. 

When both facial caterpillars made their way to the middle of his forehead and his noggin began to shake, you knew you were officially in trouble.

"He used a lot of humor when he taught, but still got the point across," said Kevin Cleary, a substitute music teacher and former student of Tully's.

Cleary, of Northwood, was just one of thousands of students Tully taught and influenced in his 33-year career teaching music in the Somersworth school system. With Tully's death on Feb. 23, former students, current residents and the many touched by his dedication to the craft of music remember the passionate man known by all as "Dr. Tully."

Tully was born on Sept. 21, 1947. He was raised in New York City and received his undergraduate degree in 1969, his master's in 1980 and his doctorate in 1989. Although he began his teaching career in Ashford, Conn., he spent most of his time in Somersworth, retiring from the district in 2010. 

Dr. Tully was described by many who knew him as a dedicated and passionate man who, more often than not, put his students' needs and futures before his. According to Cleary, Dr. Tully was the reason he became a music teacher. 

Cleary met Tully when he was in the seventh grade at Somersworth Middle School. Over the next six years, Cleary was taken under Tully's wing, learning how to play several instruments in various band classes. After Cleary entered a four-year college, he was unsure what to major in. 

During a summer, Cleary worked as a substitute for Tully a couple times. Cleary said he tried to do everything in the classroom the way he thought Tully would. After mimicking his former music teacher, Cleary realized he too wanted to dedicate his career to teaching children about the art of music. 

Cleary said Tully was a very intelligent man who treated everyone equally. 

"He never made anyone feel dumb," said Cleary. "But you could just tell he was a very very intelligent man."

Cleary said Tully would bring all of the band instruments to each parade and event by himself, never asking for help from the students or anyone else. 

"I'm going to miss him," said Cleary. "I try to honestly behave like he did. He was so well respected by so many people. He really did inspire many current music teachers ... I can think of at least four or five people who decided to teach music after having him as a teacher, and that's only while I was there."

According to Kevin's mother Brenda, all three of her sons took music and band lessons from Tully. Brenda, of Somersworth, said Tully leaves a legacy of a man who was tirelessly dedicated to his craft of teaching and creating music.

Brenda said Tully was an extremely intelligent man who always thought outside the box. Brenda and Dr. Tully played Scrabble together for years and years as a part of Mensa. 

"He will be remembered as having gave and gave and gave," said Brenda. "He enriched the music education, as well as the general education of our students."

Brenda LaBlanche, of Somersworth, also had children who were mentored under Tully. LaBranche said Tully really encouraged his students to "go beyond the scope of what they were doing" and encouraged them to play "real music." 

"He was a character," said LaBranche. "He was very smart and very passionate, both about music and his students."

When asked if she would miss Tully, LaBranche said she'd been missing him far before finding out about his death.

"He was loved and respected and will be appreciated for all that he did," said LaBranche. "We already did miss him. Fortunately, all of my girls got through school before he left (retired). He left a huge hole with huge shoes to fill." 

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