Miles William Hughes, 44, known for his singular wit, passion for life and love of his family, passed away suddenly in the arms of his lifelong love, Leigh Ann Hayward Hughes, in Oak Park on March 17.

Miles met Leigh Ann while in Raa Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, forming a strong friendship that blossomed into love, marriage and two adored children, Ragan 16, and Reece 10.

He was born on June 20, 1968 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, to William and Jane Hughes, joining his sisters, Cindy and Sallie. They moved to Tallahassee in 1977, where Miles grew up in the extended family First Presbyterian Church. Miles graduated from Lincoln High School in 1986 before attending the University of Florida, where he received a Bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in history.

Miles married Leigh Ann on May 16, 1992, in Tallahassee. He attended Florida State University College of Law, where he served on the law review and earned a JD in 1997. He was honored to clerk for Justice Ben Overton of the Florida Supreme Court. At the time of his passing, he was an Income Partner for the McDermott, Will & Emery law firm in Chicago. 

Miles was an avid tennis player and a lover of music. He was fascinated by the vast power of the cosmos. His compassion for humanity showed in his demeanor and his politics. His commitment to his family was apparent to all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed by his community. Little League baseball, trips to the planetarium and watching his children on stage in Oak Park filled his life.

He loved and mentored his nephew, Domenic Casenelli, 23, with whom he shared his passion for heavy metal music. He cherished his in-laws, Dot, Tom, Blake, and Jan Hayward, and their girls, even before he loved them as family. 

He was preceded in death by his father, William Hughes, who passed away on March 11, 1994, and his grandmother, Pearl Ragan Elrod, who passed February 2, 1990.

Miles is survived by his best friend and wife of 20 years, Leigh Ann, and their beloved children; his mother; his sisters; his nephew; his father- and mother-in-law; his brother- and sister-in-law; his nieces--Hannah, 22, Camille, 17, and Lydia, 13; and extended family and friends in Tallahassee, Chicago, and other locations.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Miles may be made to Sarah's Inn, www.sarahsinn.org.

Miles appreciated the thoughts of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson: "The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it."