Rear-Admiral (Ret’d) RCN, CF
Died on 11 July 2013, his ten-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer ended. Born 24 Oct 1927 in Quetta, India. The Admiral was very proud of his family’s military heritage as the son of the late LCol. L.M. Hughes, RCHA, and the late Betty Hughes (Gray of Victoria). Grandson of the late BGen. William St. Pierre, PWOR (CO 21st Battalion CEF). Survived by his wife of almost sixty-two years, his everlasting friend and joy, Miriam (nee Carter); by sons Laughlin and Roderick (Barbara); granddaughters Jessica, Amy, Diana, and Victoria and great-grandson Owen. Also, brother BGen. Robin L. Hughes (Ret’d)(Diana), Jack M. Hughes (Susan). Pre-deceased by his sister Ann Carmichael. Raised in Kingston, ON he was a Wolf Cub, Boy Scout, Sea Scout, and Sea Cadet. Admiral Hughes entered Royal Roads Naval College in 1944 to start his thirty-eight year naval career. He served in ten RCN ships, five RN, and one USN submarine. He served in HMCS SIOUX during the Korean War. The Admiral served in eighteen shore establishments and Headquarters. During this period, he visited sixty countries, all Canada’s provinces, and twenty-seven US states. The Admiral never stopped loving the Navy, its sailors, and fellow officers. He was proud of his sea-going commands HMCS BEACON HILL, HMCS GATINEAU, and the 1St and 5th Destroyer Squadrons. He retired as the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, and to make a political point he was rowed ashore in a navy blue Admiral’s uniform, not a CF green uniform. In retirement, he and Miriam moved to the Bahamas for a four-year adventure before returning to Victoria, BC. Tennis, investing, and philanthropy were his interests in retirement. In 2012, the Admiral was awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service for his work creating the Naval Memorial Window for the RCN’s Centenary in 2010. A special thanks goes to the Admiral’s excellent oncologist Dr. Adrian Yee, the compassionate care of our family physician, Dr. Elizabeth Grant and the professional and sensitive staff of Victoria Hospice for making the final days so comfortable.
A service of remembrance will be held at St. Peter and Paul Naval and Garrison Church, 1379 Esquimalt Rd, on Saturday July 20, 2013 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at the Wardroom, CFB Esquimalt. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the B.C. Cancer Foundation, 2410 Lee Ave., Victoria, B.C. V8R 6V5 for research into a cure for multiple myeloma. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Directors
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Brig.Trevor and Jess Gibson
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Sue and Bob Saunders Dear Miriam and Family,
We are all so sorry to learn of your dear husband, father and grandfather’s death. Our families have known each other for over 60 years and always enjoyed every visit, gathering and occassion. To have had a personal tour of the Navy Memorial Window with you and Bill will remain a special memory and one that I know our Dad “Red” Wilkes would have been humbled to see and admire.On behalf of mom Joan, sisters Cathy and Sally, we send our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Sue and Bob Saunders
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Kathy Steen Rod, Barb and family. So sorry to read about the passing of your father. He had an extraordinary life and will be sadly missed by family and friends.
With deepest sympathy….Kathy
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Cmdre Marcel & Elaine Hallé Miriam, Rod and Barb – It was an absolute privilege to have known and worked with your husband, father and father-in-law when I was Base Commander at CFB Esquimalt. I have fond memories of our time together. I have warm memories of the Naval centennial and in particular, the Admiral’s energetic and profound work in making the Naval Memorial Window a reality – a fine legacy that he has left. His commitment and service to country was noteworthy and we consider ourselves fortunate to have known him. Our sincere condolences for your loss, Canada has lost a great Canadian.
Your aye:
Marcel & Elaine Hallé
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Kate King Such a wonderful man, the world will surely miss you.
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Philip Banister Farewell my classmate. Thanks for all the work you did for our class including the “butter merchants”.
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Gary Reddy Rod,
Please accept my condolences in your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and family. All the best my friend – Gary
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Nicola & Colin Jones Bill was a wonderful, accomplished and kind person who will be missed by all. Our prayers and sympathies go out to his family and his lovely wife Miriam.
With love – Nicola, Colin, Adrienne & Christina
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Susan McGorman (nee Denny) Dear Miriam and family
It was will great sadness I read of Bill’s passing. Bill was a great friend of my parents Helen and Roy Denny and I knew him through them.
My sincere thoughts and love to you all at this sad time.
Much love, Sue McGorman (nee Denny)
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Yvon Cote, Cdr(ret) Sincere condolences on the passing of one of RCN’s finest. Although having Bill as a first C.O. in Gatineau as a new “subbie” jolining the fleet out of RMC was somewhat of a rude awakening (as he was a hard task master!), he taught us well (mostly by demonstration) and launched many of us on to successful careers of our own. There are too many stories to tell here, but suffice it to say that his contributions to the navy will live on through the anecdotes of those fellow officers who remain.
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miranda I am very sorry for your families loss. It was nice to have met and know you even for just a little while. Thinking of you Miriam and family during these hard times.
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Ronald Harrison I regret I sent Bill a card on the weekend, unaware of his passing. I was honoured that he and his good wife attended Christ Church Cathedral Vancouver for dedication of two naval windows that I contributed for the naval centennial. The window Bill organized for St Paul’s was wonderful. He had a marvellous career and life and I offer my prayers and thanks for the whole family as you mourn his death while celebrating his good life.
Archdeacon Ronald Harrison
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Cedric Steele Miriam and Rod, I would like to offer you my deepest sympathy for your loss. I admired the Admiral very much and felt it to be a great privilege to have known him. May he rest in peace.
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LCDR Jack Woodbury I was Bill’s X.O in HMCS Gatineau many years ago.
Of some eighteen C.O. s that I had in my career he
was the best. Competent but compassionate. Miriam,
the only thing not mentioned in the obit was his hobby
of bird watching. When things got tense on the bridge.
we always were able to find a new bird with our
binoculars and calm things down.My condolences,
Jack
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Sharon Gillean Shalinsky Hello Rod – I remember your Dad so fondly. He gave me a real hand when I took over the RRU Foundation office. He always had great charm and good advice whenever we met. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.
Sharon Gillean
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John Hungar In 2007 I lost both my parents in March. Mother died at age 90 and my father age 94. Loss of a person is difficult no matter how old they are. My thoughts are with you.
– John Hungar
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Miriam & Bill Ward My Uncle Bill; Admiral Hughes, will always have my love and admiration with fond memories. My deepest regrets to my Aunt Miriam in her great loss. On Saturday July 20th at 11:00 am I will be with you in heart. Love, Miriam & Bill
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Cdr RS Edwards, Ret'd Rod, My condolences to you and your family on the death of your Dad, a senior and highly dedicated naval officer who served his country for decades with such distinction in war and peace.
I am sure there are many memories to remember, share and enjoy.
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Robbie, Diana, and Liz A sadly missed brother and uncle we will remember him with joy and a certain amount of envy at the wonderful life he had. Rest in peace with all our love.
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David Kevin Carlé My heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Admiral Hughes was a fantastic leader and represented a north star for others to navigate by. My sincere condolences to his family.
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crossed the bar.Crossing the Bar by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Tino & Helen Cotaras Thinking of you on this sad occasion. Tino & Helen
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L.R. Verne Lunan, President - Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association It is with deep regret that his Shipmates of the Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association learned that Admiral Hughes had “Crossed the Bar.” Those that served under him admired his leadership and commitment to the “Royal Canadian Navy.”
We offer our condolences to his family. May God bless and keep you. We trust that your Faith will see you through this time of sorrow.
Ready Aye Ready
L.R. Verne Lunan, President
Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association
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Tricia and Ronald Hello Aunt Miriam,
We are saddened to hear of Uncle Bill’s passing. I am sure you will miss that wonderful man. You had such a terrific marriage and an adventurous life.
We look forward to gathering with the family and recognizing this outstanding man.Take care and we will see you soon.
Tricia and Ronald
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Bonnie Russell Dear Miriam and family, my heart goes out to you. The only solace is knowing that he is at peace and out of pain. He lived a very full and rich life, he is remembered fondly and will be missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bonnie and Henry
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Rob Britton Admiral Hughes’ niece Norah sent me a link to his obituary. I never met the Admiral, but wish I had — in the eyes of this true friend of Canada from south of the border, he exemplified all that is good and right in your “home and native land”. Rest in peace, and thanks from a grateful neighbor for helping to keep North America free. Condolences to all the family.
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Susan Carmichael Such an amazing life Uncle Bill. Your stories of bravery and leadership will live on. Love to Auntie Miriam. Susie oxox
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Norah Carmichael Dear Uncle Bill, we will miss you very much. I picture you with Mum today celebrating her birthday, happy together again, love, Nonie xoxo
Dear Miriam,
Craig Moffatt kindly sent us the sad news that your dear Bill had passed away earlier this month, and we would very much like to offer our sincerest condolences to you and your family. It’s been a long time since we have seen you both here in Brisbane, Australia, and longer since Trevor and Bill swatted away at the Defence College in Kingston, but memories are clear and warm of happy younger days. We hope your many friends and family have gathered to help comfort you through difficult times. I am grateful that Craig sent me the internet contact that has enabled me to reach you.
Our fondest regards
Jess and Trevor Gibson