John E. Hughes graduated from Clearview High School in 1978 and was vice president of his senior class.
A ceremony was held on Jan. 23 to rename the Clearview Pioneers’ wrestling building in Mantua the John E. Hughes Sr. wrestling facility.
Hughes was a Clearview High School wrestler who passed away in June of 2023. A 1978 graduate, he was also president of his senior class, according to an obituary from Smith Funeral Home in Mantua. He would later become an active member of Clearview’s junior wrestling program and was instrumental in the construction of the facility that now bears his name.
“Mr. Hughes was a staple in our community and had such a tremendous impact on Clearview wrestling and the youth of Mantua Township,” said Mayor Robert Zimmerman at the naming ceremony. Committeewoman (Eileen) Lukens and I were privileged to call John our friend and we were truly honored to be there to support John’s widow, Annette, and their family during this momentous occasion.”
The event was attended not only by Hughes’ family members, but current and former wrestlers, coaches and close friends. Annette spoke about the ceremony days later.
“He would’ve cried his eyes out,” she said of her husband. “He was a big tough guy, but could cry at the drop of a pin. His parents would have loved the event. It was a very nice event. There were well over 100 people there. Everybody that was involved in the program was there.”
Speakers offered memories of Hughes and what he meant to Clearview wrestling. Zimmerman spoke of how he grew close to Hughes in recent years, after both shared the bond of surviving open-heart surgery, Zimmerman in 2012 and Hughes in 2026.
“Ironically, I presented Mr. Hughes with a township proclamation back in February 2017 at a township committee meeting recognizing February as Heart Month,” Zimmerman recalled. “John and I shared the common bond of both having heart disease and both being members of the Zipper Club.”
According to Annette, the township donated the wrestling building land.
“Mr. Hughes was a good friend and mentor to many in our community and is sorely missed,” Zimmerman noted. “I was blessed to know John personally and to have him as a friend. The naming of the wrestling building will allow his legacy to live on forever in Mantua Township.”
Even though Hughes is gone, the building – to his family – is a reminder of his spirit and who he was as a person.
“He was well-known in the community,” Annette recounted. “Our family was very honored and touched by the event. Whenever we’re feeling down, we’ll drive past the building and see the sign and it brings a smile to my face.”
