Hugh Frederick Gilmore III

Hugh F. Gilmore III, affectionately known as 'Huey' and 'Parrain' to his family throughout his life, age 75, originally from New Orleans, but for decades residing and domiciled in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a brilliant and respected software engineer, passed away suddenly as of July 21, 2024, leaving a legacy of innovation, kindness, and deep connections within his professional and personal circles.

Hugh was predeceased by his mother, Joy C. Folse Gilmore, of Jefferson, Louisiana, and his father, Hugh F. Gilmore Jr., of Savannah, Georgia. He is survived by his sister, Deborah Gilmore McGrath, his Brother in Law, Glen Patrick McGrath, of New Orleans, Louisiana, and his niece, Ashling McGrath, all of whom held a special place in his heart. He was especially fond of Ashling, his only niece and godchild , and followed her educational artistic pursuits since she was a young student. He cherished the time spent with them and always considered them essential to his life. He is also survived by many wonderful dear cousins,

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Hugh graduated from Jesuit High School, in New Orleans, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of New Orleans. He went on to earn a Master's Degree in Physics also from the University of New Orleans. Later, Hugh continued his studies in Physics at Stony Brook University, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island. In 1981, he made Bridgeport, Connecticut, across Long Island Sound, his final home.

He was the older brother and, as such, the dutiful protector, of his young sister, Deborah, all through their early school years in New Orleans, rendering help and assistance when needed, no matter the situation, rain or shine. She deeply appreciated that endless care and love, and would always remember it, throughout the entirety of his life. He was not only her brother but also her close lifelong friend and confidant, sharing thoughts and concerns about family issues and various other topics, throughout all their years. During the years, as Brothers in Law, Hugh and Glen would discuss politics, science, weather, history, laws, cars, music, Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, New Orleans food, and, among other things, 1950's Science Fiction Movies, which discussions were often detailed and lengthy, with constant intellectual fun for both parties involved.

For over 50 years, Hugh excelled in the software development industry. After receiving his master's degree, Hugh began programming computers, a pursuit that defined his professional life. A true pioneer, he worked on a windowing system for an early graphics machine before personal computers became mainstream. Hugh contributed to early versions of the successful graphics software used currently by Apple and IBM PCs and has engineered complex programming to develop an in-house version of the internet for various companies. His expertise spanned from office automation to trading floor systems, and his deep knowledge of physics led him to tackle complex programming challenges in finance at Freddie Mac and derivatives at trading companies.

Hugh's career included significant roles in financial services and communication firms such as Merrill Lynch, JPMC, and NBC. At NBC's Rockefeller Center, he worked on models to predict political races on election night. His exceptional work led NBC to rehire him years later, a rare honor that highlighted his valued contributions. In the latter part of his career, he primarily provided consultative services, offering his unique problem-solving skills to diverse companies. Hugh's ability to develop innovative programming solutions was unparalleled. He had a remarkable talent for reaching out to the programming community and friends for validation and feedback on his conceptual solutions. He even created a visual programming language for a startup to model and generate code needed for business processes.

Friendship was truly at the heart of Hugh's life. Though he never married or had children, he considered his friends almost as family. He became a beloved "brother" and "uncle" to the Liuzzo and Greeno families, participating in their family events with joy and dedication.

Hugh never missed big family events, graduations, weddings, or birthday parties. He cherished his regular Sunday breakfasts with his closest friend of nearly 40 years, Raymond Liuzzo, whom he met in 1984 on the Metro North train platform, and his Saturday night dinners with Mark Greeno. Mark was not only a source of deep technical support but also a cherished companion for both intellectual debates and casual, heartfelt conversations. Their discussions spanned from complex programming challenges to light-hearted talks about everyday life, reflecting a profound and multifaceted friendship. Raymond and Mark together assisted in the preparation of this testament of Hugh's social life and professional achievements, during his many years in the New England area.

Hugh appreciated his family and other people who were straightforward and genuine, and he surrounded himself with interesting and loyal friends. His wide network of friends, cultivated through his various jobs, remained close and connected over the years. Hugh worked remotely until his final years, always maintaining his passion for programming and his dedication to his family and friends.

Hugh will be remembered for his brilliance, kindness, curiosity, wit, humor, and the deep connections he fostered throughout his life. His contributions to the software development industry, and to the lives he touched, will be profoundly missed. He was dearly loved. Private interment will be determined.